Saying yes to consent classes

https://twitter.com/SVCCork/status/980159456045600768 When we glance back at years past there is always a moment that defines them in the public consciousness. A moment that ‘convulsed’ the country, and that was often a catalyst for an epic change of direction. In Ireland, over the past century, many of those moments have been focussed - almost to the [...]

Rape figures are up – but could that be good news?

The latest crime figures from the CSO have shown a marked rise in recorded rapes and sexual assaults. In 2015, 536 rapes were reported throughout the State. That’s an increase of just over 12pc on 2014. The number of sexual assaults went up by 15pc in the same period, with a shocking 2,361 offences reported throughout [...]

Celebrating women #IWD2016

My enthusiasm for women and feminism is lifted every year by the sense of solidarity on two dates - Women's Christmas, and International Women's Day. This year I spent Women's Christmas speaking with Cork Simon's Colette O'Brien and Karen Songhurst at the Cork Simon Women's Christmas Lunch. And in time-honoured tradition my mother and sister-in-law [...]

Speak no evil; how victims of sexual abuse are treated once they report

Victims of sexual abuse are encouraged to report the crimes against them - but when they do, they can often find themselves isolated from family and friends, with little support from the authorities and the legal system that are supposed to help them. ..... In the past 20 years, Irish society has undergone a sea-change in [...]