Gender equality will not be achieved until sexual violence is eliminated - DRCC marks International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has called for the public to focus on eliminating sexual violence throughout the year.
 
DRCC’s Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh said “International Women’s Day is an important celebration of the contribution that women make across the globe, as well as recognition of the discrimination and inequity that still exists. However, many of the challenges that face women are systemic and require unrelenting focus and targeted action, every single day of the year.
 
“Sexual violence will sadly not stop for International Women’s Day. The services provided by DRCC will be just as busy as every other day. However, IWD does provide another opportunity for us to highlight that gender equality will not be achieved until sexual violence is eliminated. A problem as big as sexual violence is in Ireland needs action and focus every day of the year. DRCC is there for victims and survivors 24 hours a day and we encourage anyone affected by sexual violence to call us for free on the National Helpline 1800 77 88 88.
 
“DRCC services are available to both women and men, but the majority of our callers and clients are female. In 2022, 93% of our therapy clients and 84% of callers to the National Rape Crisis Helpline were women. This reflects the national statistics which show that over half of women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. The ballooning in prevalence of sexual violence experienced by young women is hugely concerning, with 65% of women aged 18-24 already having experienced sexual violence.
 
“So while International Women’s Day will and should be celebrated, for us in DRCC, we see how much work there is still to do before sexual violence is eliminated and true gender equality is achieved. We are glad that Cuan, the domestic and sexual violence agency has recently been established and DRCC is committed to working with it on a zero tolerance approach to all forms of sexual violence.”
 

Confidential freephone 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888