+34
A survey from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reveals that two‑in‑five men under 25 blame rape victims who were drinking or drugged, while only 15 of all adults hold this view. The research also shows widespread disbelief in rape claims, fear of not being believed as a major barrier to seeking help, and a lack of faith in Ireland's justice system. Surprising gender and age‑based differences highlight an urgent need for targeted education and support programs.
Recent findings from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) paint a troubling picture of public attitudes toward rape survivors in Ireland, especially among young men.
In a survey of 1,036 adults carried out between August 31st and September 11th, nearly two in five men under the age of 25-about 37 per cent-believe that a rape victim who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs has at least some responsibility for what happened. Women in the same age group held a slightly lower but still alarmingly high belief, with 25 per cent agreeing with the same statement.
Victim-Blaming Beliefs in Ireland
Across the entire adult population, 15 per cent share this victim‑blaming view, while a steadfast 88 per cent agree that an abuser's state of mind should not mitigate their culpability. Despite these general assumptions, scepticism about the credibility of rape claims remains widespread.
Between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of respondents from all demographics doubt the veracity of rape allegations; however, among men under 25 the percentage climbs notably, with 48 per cent asserting that "a lot" of rape claims are false. In contrast, only 19 per cent of the overall adult sample hold that view. The survey also highlighted a pervasive fear that survivors will not be believed when they reach out for help.
A staggering 82 per cent of adults expressed that they felt fear of disbelief could deter victims from seeking support. Only 22 per cent of respondents trust that Irish courts handle rape cases fairly, and less than half-43 per cent-believe that Ireland is a safe place for survivors to speak openly about their experiences. The number falls even lower for women, with only 38 per cent feeling the same.
Doubts Over Rape Claims and Court Fairness
When it comes to specific actions, a third of young men (34 per cent) assert that a rape claim must receive a guilty verdict in court before it is seen as credible, while 31 per cent say it must be officially reported to the Gardaí to be taken seriously. This stance stands in stark contrast to the 12 per cent of the general population that holds either of those positions.
Similarly, 40 per cent of young men believe that media coverage exaggerates the prevalence of rape and sexual violence, compared to just 15 per cent of the overall sample. Another 14 per cent of young men question the veracity of a confession of rape made by someone who claims to have been drunk. The DRCC's findings reveal a significant mismatch between attitudes held by younger men and older women.
In the 18‑to‑24 age bracket, 31 per cent of men feel a victim should not be trusted unless her allegations have been formally reported, whereas only 2 per cent of women in that same age cohort share the view. In terms of false allegations, 48 per cent of young men believe there are many, compared with a mere 8 per cent of women aged 65 and older. Current support pathways for survivors appear limited.
Support Gaps for Rape Survivors
Those who have experienced rape report that only 17 per cent filed a police complaint, 22 per cent sought medical attention, 28 per cent accessed counselling, 41 per cent confided in friends or family, and 19 per cent chose to remain silent entirely. These statistics underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions. Responding to the study, DRCC Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh stresses the critical importance of addressing harmful attitudes early in life.
She says the centre will launch a pilot programme next year aimed at promoting positive masculinity among young men. The initiative will seek to uncover the roots of blame‑based beliefs and design strategies that encourage more supportive attitudes toward survivors. In the words of the DRCC statement, these attitudes have direct and damaging consequences for those who have suffered sexual violence.
By fostering understanding and changing cultural narratives, the centre hopes to create a more responsive and compassionate environment for all survivors across Ireland.
Rape Attitudes Young Men Victim Blame Survey Results Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ireland Beat Israel 3-0 in Nations League Match After Players Held Anonymous Vote to ProceedThe Republic of Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in a contentious Uefa Nations League match in Debrecen, Hungary, after players held a crisis meeting and anonymous ballot over whether to boycott the game. The FAI had sought new opponents but was refused by Uefa.
Read more »
Manor Solomon Predicts Intense Clash with Ireland After Tensions Erupt in DebrecenIsrael captain Manor Solomon anticipates a markedly different encounter with the Republic of Ireland, criticizing opposing players and highlighting cultural strengths following post-match confrontations and fan chants in Hungary.
Read more »
Garvaghy Road Parade Ruling Sparks Northern Ireland CrisisThe decision to permit an Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road for the first time in 28 years has sparked protests and political crisis in Northern Ireland, with calls for an inquiry.
Read more »
Ireland vs Israel match on RTÉ 2 draws 478,000 average viewersAn average of 478,000 viewers watched Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in the Nations League on RTÉ 2, with a peak of 573,000 and 233,683 on the RTÉ Player.
Read more »