Text: Izzy Copestake
Generally, men and women have differing views on the matter.
A new national study commissioned by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has uncovered significant gaps in understanding and expectations surrounding sexual consent in Ireland. The research was undertaken by Opinions Research and creative agency Language in November 2024, surveying 923 adults in Ireland via an online omnibus survey. The findings have highlighted discrepancies between men and women’s perceptions of consent.
The study revealed that nearly half of men (46%) agree with the statement that people “often make up accusations about non-consensual sex,” compared to 27% of women. Additionally, one in four men (25%) questioned whether sex without consent is as widespread a problem as it is perceived to be, compared to just 14% of women.
This new statistic suggests that this belief is becoming more widespread, as the figures are significantly higher than the Eurobarometer survey conducted across European states in February 2024, which reported that 20% of people in Ireland agree that ‘Women often make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape.” Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, has described this finding as “particularly worrying”. “Rape myths discourage victims from coming forward and enable perpetrators to live free from consequences.”
The research also points to significant concerns among dating adults. 55% of dating adults are “fearful that a partner might say that the sexual encounter that occurred when they were drinking was not consensual, despite going along with it at the time.” What’s more, 39% dating adults say they “often feel vulnerable” due to fear of misreading an intimate situation.
Morrogh said that these anxieties over consent reveal that a significant number of people believe that consent is an important topic, but that many don’t know how to ensure that consent is present. Additionally, Sarah Monaghan, Manager of We-Consent. has said that this research demonstrates that “there is a need to focus on consent education and continue to advance societal change, as this is not yet fully understood.”
When it comes to the nature of consent, the majority of all adults (92%) agree that “Even if you have given consent, you can change your mind at any time”. However, almost 3 in 10 younger men (29%) aged 18-24 believe that “Once you have consented, you can’t really change your mind”. While 1 in 10 across the survey say that “sex happens when one of us wants it, even if the other person is not in the mood”, this is a view more commonly held by men under 35 (3 in 10).
Morrogh has stated that the findings “illustrate that there is a gulf between men and women’s understanding and expectations around sexual consent”, adding that closing this gap is essential to reducing the “prevalence of sexual violence in this country.”
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