A new ESRI-Cuan joint research publication finds that one in four individuals in Ireland experience adult sexual violence, with some subgroups of the population more at risk

Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of the population have experienced sexual violence as an adult. Women, younger adults, bisexual individuals and gay men face significantly higher risks, while most perpetrators are known to victims.

New research published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Cuan, as part of their Joint Research Programme on Adult Sexual Violence in Ireland, provides new evidence on the factors associated with experiences of sexual violence among adults in Ireland. The report will be launched by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan at an event in the ESRI, attended by representatives from across the research and academic community, as well as those who provide frontline services to victim-survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Drawing on data from the 2022 Central Statistics Office (CSO) Sexual Violence Survey, the report examines patterns of adult sexual violence, including both intimate partner and non-intimate partner sexual violence. The research provides one of the most detailed analyses to date of the population groups most at risk of sexual violence and the circumstances in which sexual violence occurs.

Key Findings:

Ever experienced sexual violence:

• The study finds that sexual violence affects a substantial proportion (26 per cent) of adults in Ireland. However, the risks of victimisation are not evenly distributed across the population.

• Women were considerably more likely to report experiences of sexual violence than men, 39 per cent compared to 12 per cent of men. The analysis also found that younger adults (those aged 25-29), bisexual individuals and gay men faced significantly greater risks of sexual violence.

Types of sexual violence:

• Of those who reported any sexual violence as an adult, 25 per cent experienced intimate partner violence only, 40 per cent non-intimate partner violence only, and 35 per cent reported experiencing both intimate partner and non-intimate partner sexual violence.

• The majority of respondents that reported one or more sexual violence experiences indicated that they were aged between 18 and 24 when it first happened, both for intimate partner (54 per cent) and non-intimate partner violence (63 per cent).

• Of the seven types of sexual violence examined, non-consensual touching of breasts/genitals was the most common type reported (21 per cent), particularly among women (33 per cent). This was followed by attempted other sexual contact (14 per cent) and attempted sexual intercourse (12 per cent).

• The study identified a group in the population, comprising 6 per cent, who had experienced an average of five different types of intimate partner violence, including forced penetrative sex and attempted sexual intercourse.

• The research also identified a group comprising 4 per cent of the population who had experienced multiple forms of non-intimate partner violence, including forced penetrative sex and non-penetrative sex when they were unable to give consent because of being asleep, passed out or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Perpetrators:

• A notable finding of the study is that most perpetrators of non-intimate partner sexual violence were known to victims. Friends, acquaintances, neighbours and family members were more commonly identified as perpetrators than strangers.

• In addition, the research found that many incidents of non-intimate partner sexual violence occurred in domestic settings, either the person’s own home or in another person’s home, along with in familiar social settings (e.g., pubs and clubs).

Implications for policy and future research:

Ireland is currently implementing its third national strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), ‘Zero Tolerance’. This new research published today highlights that, while sexual violence is pervasive across Irish society, there are a number of population subgroups that report higher rates of sexual violence, particularly women, younger people and those from sexual minority groups. Policy needs to focus on understanding the reasons behind this so that targeted interventions can be developed and implemented to support groups at higher risk of sexual violence.

As the majority of first instances of sexual violence occur before the age of 24, the research also points to young adulthood as a particularly important period for prevention and early intervention efforts. In addition, the study’s findings suggest that, when formulating measures to address sexual violence, the issue needs to be understood as a pattern of cumulative experiences rather than as a single event.

The study highlighted the need for data that tracks the same people over time to support a better understanding of how victimisation experiences affect individuals across the life course.

Dr. Elish Kelly, lead author of the study commented:

“This research provides important new evidence on the factors associated with sexual violence victimisation in Ireland. While sexual violence affects people from all backgrounds, the findings show that risks are higher among particular subgroups of the population, including women, younger adults, bisexual individuals and gay men.

The study also challenges common assumptions regarding perpetrators, demonstrating that many victims experience sexual violence from people they already know and also in familiar surroundings, such as their home or another person’s home.”

CEO of Cuan, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, said:

“In order to prevent sexual violence and to provide, and target, supports to those who are victims of such violence, a better understanding of the patterns of victimisation is needed.

Demand for services continues to rise as awareness grows and more people find the confidence to seek help. This reflects the impact of awareness raising efforts, but also reinforces the urgency of continued investment and system strengthening so that services are available for those who need them.

Next year, we look to build on the progress made by delivering real and tangible results for victim-survivors while preparing Ireland’s response for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”