“You are believed, you are not to blame, and it is never too late to come forward”: Welcome for 15-year sentence for Donaldson

Responding to the sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson to 15 years in jail by a Newry court this morning, Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said: “For the second time this week, a court on the island of Ireland has imposed a significant sentence on a perpetrator of sexual abuse of children. Beyond the substantial 15-year sentence itself, this judgment against Jeffrey Donaldson sends a resounding message to survivors: You are believed, you are not to blame, and it is never too late to come forward.

“Along with the George Gibney sentence on Monday, this week marks an important moment in demonstrating that the passage of time does not diminish the seriousness of sexual abuse, nor place perpetrators beyond the reach of justice.

“I note that, in both the Donaldson and Gibney cases, the courts imposed sentences comprising consecutive elements. This is significant because it recognises the distinct harm caused by each offence and acknowledges the separate and lasting impact experienced by each victim. However, no sentence will ever erase the harm suffered at the hands of these men or restore the childhoods taken from the victims and survivors of their crimes.

“Dublin Rape Crisis Centre joins our colleagues in Northern Ireland in welcoming this sentence and we take this opportunity to remind those who believe they have escaped accountability that no one is above the law, even if they wield substantial power and influence. While years or decades may pass, the impact on victims remains profound. Delayed reporting is common in cases of sexual abuse and in no way diminishes the gravity of the offences committed.

“The Donaldson case also highlighted the immense challenges many survivors face when seeking justice. Many survivors describe the court process as a second trauma, sometimes as damaging as the original harm itself. Attempts to challenge credibility, question memory and shift scrutiny onto complainants can have a severe impact, not just on those involved in a case but on other survivors who may be considering whether to come forward. Until these experiences improve, the number of survivors who feel able to seek justice will remain far too low.

“We thank the women at the heart of this case for their courage in coming forward, for their resilience in the courtroom, and for the message of hope they have sent to survivors of sexual violence across Ireland. We wish them well as they continue their healing.”

Anyone affected by sexual violence of any kind, at any time, can get free and confidential support on the 24-hour National Helpline at 1800 77 8888.

ENDS/

Notes for editors:  

1. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape. It offers a suite of services to victims/survivors of sexual violence. It also offers a wide range of training and education to professionals and volunteers.  
2. The Signs of Hope campaign platforms powerful messages of hope and encouragement from survivors to others who have not yet reached out for support – learn more at https://www.drcc.ie/signsofhope/
3. We-Consent is a long-term national programme to inform, educate and engage with all members of our society about consent. More information and resources at https://www.we-consent.ie/
4. You can donate towards Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s work on drcc.ie/donate
5. Other DRCC services and work: 
   • DRCC operates the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 778888 to support anyone affected by sexual violence in any part of the country. A webchat support service is available online at drcc.ie Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. A Helpline Interpreting Service is available for those who do not speak English - more at https://bit.ly/DRCClang
   • For those contacting the Helpline who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443 and we also have a webchat service available Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm, except holidays.
   • Information on your options after sexual violence is available for free online at any time at drcc.ie/fyw in the Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence guide.
   • DRCC offers counselling & therapy to adult survivors of sexual violence and to older adolescents from 16 years of age with parental/guardian consent.
   • We provide accompaniment support for the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas, by arrangement.   
   • We have outreach offices at Coolock, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Balbriggan & Tallaght. Access to these services must be arranged via the National Helpline 1800 778888 during working hours, Mon-Fri.   
6. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists should remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 77 88 88  for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.