Over a quarter of Irish adults experience sexual violence, study finds

Just over a quarter of adults in Ireland have experienced sexual violence, according to joint research published by the Economic and Social Research Institute and Cuan. The Irish Examiner reported that 26 percent of people in Ireland experienced sexual violence as an adult, based on findings by Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence agency. [1]

The Irish Examiner reported significant gender differences in the survey findings. Almost 40 percent of women, specifically 39 percent, reported experiencing sexual violence, compared to 12 percent of men. [1]

Research highlights that sexual abuse is more prevalent among specific demographic groups. The Irish Examiner reported that younger adults, bisexual people, gay men, and individuals with a higher education experienced higher rates of sexual abuse than other cohorts, with the highest overall rates reported among people aged 25 to 34. [1]

In most cases, the victims knew the perpetrators. According to the Irish Examiner, partners, friends, acquaintances, neighbours, and family members were more commonly identified as perpetrators of sexual violence than strangers. [1]