# Sexual violence research in Ireland

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sexual-violence-research-in-ireland
> Updated: 2026-10-29T00:05:42.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Recent research in Ireland has highlighted both the prevalence of sexual violence and the social attitudes surrounding it. A study by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Ipsos B&A found that 82% of adults cite the fear of not being believed as a primary barrier to seeking help. The data revealed significant skepticism regarding the validity of reports, with 19% of adults believing there are ‘a lot’ of false rape allegations, a sentiment that increases to 48% among men under 25.

Complementary research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Cuan, utilizing 2022 Central Statistics Office data, reported that 26% of adults in Ireland have experienced sexual violence since age 17. The study noted disparities in victimization, with 39% of women reporting experiences compared to 12% of men. It further identified that most perpetrators of non-intimate partner violence were known to the victims, such as friends, neighbors, or family members.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-29: Ireland report finds 26% of adults have experienced sexual violence

An ESRI and Cuan study reports that 26% of Irish adults have experienced sexual violence, with women, bisexual individuals, and gay men facing significantly higher risks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-report-finds-26-of-adults-have-experienced-sexual-violence

### 2026-09-30: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre study reveals attitudes toward sexual violence

A Dublin Rape Crisis Centre study finds 19% of Irish adults believe there are many false rape allegations, with nearly half of men under 25 holding this view.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dublin-rape-crisis-centre-study-reveals-attitudes-toward-sexual-violence

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Cite as: Sexual violence research in Ireland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sexual-violence-research-in-ireland