Prevalence of sexual violence
The main source of data on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland is the Sexual Violence Survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office in 2022 and published in 2023.
Apart from the main overview, the CSO also published more specific data in five separate releases, on Adult Experiences, Childhood Experiences, Disclosure of Sexual Violence Experiences, Sexual Harassment, and Attitudes to Sexual Violence.
The CSO defines sexual violence as “a range of non-consensual experiences, from non-contact experiences to non-consensual sexual intercourse… Sexual violence is any sexual act which takes place without freely given consent or where someone forces or manipulates someone else into unwanted sexual activity.”
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Overall prevalence of sexual violence experiences
Adulthood experiences of sexual violence
(Source: CSO Sexual Violence Survey)
Please note that some of the forms of sexual harassment described above are illegal, including sharing sexual images or videos without the subject's permission, and physical exposure by somebody. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre would consider all of the behaviours described here as sexual harassment as forms of sexual violence which should not be tolerated.
Childhood experiences of sexual violence
In the CSO Sexual Violence Survey, the most common forms of sexual violence experienced in childhood include being shown pornographic material, experiencing someone exposing themselves (also known as “flashing”), and being touched sexually.
(Source: CSO Sexual Violence Survey)
LGBTQI+ experiences of sexual violence
The LGBTQI+ community is at a heightened risk of sexual violence. This is demonstrated in the CSO Sexual Violence Survey (SVS) where over 70% of bisexual people reported they had experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, nearly double the reporting rate for straight people.
(Source: CSO Sexual Violence Survey)
People with disabilities' experiences of sexual violence
People with a disability are more likely to have experienced sexual violence than people without a disability, both in childhood and adulthood.
(Source: CSO Sexual Violence Survey)
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre data
National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline
The National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline had 22,700 contacts in 2024, an average of 60 contacts a day.
The forms of sexual violence cited by victim/survivors who contacted the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline in 2024 are shown below:
DRCC SATU Accompaniment
The accompaniment team from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre accompanies survivors attending the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.
Our support workers are on hand to offer emotional and psychological support to those who attend the SATU, whether they are alone, with supporters or with Garda assistance.
SATU data
Disclaimer
The data in this section of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s website are taken from multiple reliable sources with the aim of giving a picture of the landscape of sexual violence in Ireland. Data are linked to the original source throughout.
We aim to ensure data is updated regularly, but for the most up-to-date information, please use the links and references provided to access the data from the source.
The data on this page was accessed on 05/02/2025.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is not responsible for the data reproduced here which originates from other organisations and which we present to highlight the issue of sexual violence in Ireland. You can contact the individual organisations as indicated with any questions on specific pieces of information.
Please remember that free, confidential and non-judgmental support is available 24/7 for anyone affected by sexual violence, including family and friends of victims and survivors, on the National Helpline at 1800 778888.
