DRCC: Research shows most people believe Ireland has problem with consent

Most people in Ireland believe that there is a problem with consent, according to new research commissioned by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC).

The study, Real Consent in Ireland, is the first national study of its kind and examines attitudes to and understanding of sexual consent in Ireland across all adult age groups.

DRCC shared the findings in an online event Wednesday afternoon and also announced a new national project aimed at making consent a national topic of conversation.

DRCC Chairperson Anne-Marie Gill said: “We in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have long believed there is a problem with consent in Ireland.

“This research confirms that that most people – 70% – agree with us.

“While as a people, we understand the theory of consent, it is not always so clear that this translates to practical understanding.”

The research suggests multiple factors contribute to the problem with consent including the belief that consent can be ignored and lack of understanding around the right to withdraw consent.

There are inhibitions around talking about sex candidly and clearly among all age groups, people are unclear about their own sexual likes and dislikes and a quarter are unsure about partner preferences.  People lack the confidence to stop an encounter when uncomfortable.

DRCC Chief Executive Noeline Blackwell welcomed the new data, saying: “What is also very striking is that the majority of those surveyed recognised the link between equality and consent.

“Almost three-quarters of them agreed that a better understanding of consent will help equality between women and men, which really gives a strong direction for our work.”

According to Blackwell, “these findings tell us a lot about what people in Ireland understand by consent.

“DRCC wants to prevent the harm that sexual violence does in our society and we want to have a strong base of evidence for that work.

“So this research is a starting point from which we, as a society, can tackle consent and begin to talk about it a lot more.

“We believe that Real Consent In Ireland shows that most people want a country where consent is understood, and where nobody believes that sexual activity without consent is OK.

“DRCC’s project will see conversations about consent being had in homes, workplaces, clubs and pubs.

“We want to see conversations about consent being totally normal.

“This is a long-term initiative where we will work with survivors, individuals and communities across the country, to help us better understand consent and its importance and how to shape our society towards one that does not tolerate sexual violence and sexual coercion,” she said.