Staying Safe This Easter Holiday

During the last Christmas Holiday period, DRCC accompanied 57 people to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive, DRCC said “During the last Christmas holiday period (Dec.- Jan.) 57 people were accompanied to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit by our trained volunteers compared to 47 the previous year. The DRCC has been observing from its statistics, that there are increases in the numbers of rapes and sexual assaults during holiday period times. We are reminding people of our staying safe campaign again this holiday period. ”

Some Tips to keeping safe this Easter Holiday period:

• Always look out for each other and be part of a group
• Try not to get separated from your group
• Keep your drink in your hand at all times
• Do not accept a drink from someone you have just met
• Ask someone you know and trust, to mind your drink
• Trust your instinct, if you feel uncomfortable in a place or with someone, leave as soon as possible
• Nominate a Designated Minder for each group of 6
• Share Taxis with friends
• Make sure your mobile is charged at all times and keep the national helpline number 1 800 77 88 88 stored in your phone.
• If you have to travel alone, make sure you have phoned ahead to where you are going and give your estimated time of arrival
• Remember 8 out of 10 victims are raped by someone known to them

Steps to be taken in the event of a rape or sexual assault:

• If you need the help of a Rape Crisis Centre for a recent rape or childhood sexual abuse, call the National 24 hour Helpline 1 800 77 88 88
• If you are a family member or a friend of someone who has been raped or sexually assaulted and you need support call the National 24 hour Helpline 1 800 77 88 88
• Report any incident to the Gardai
• Our aim is to offer a safe and confidential space where women and men of all ages can be listened to and supported without shame or self-blame

Some facts to keep in mind this Easter Holiday Period:

• The age of consent is 17
• Under current Irish Law a person is guilty of raping another person, if they are reckless in their decision to pursue sexual contact without that person’s consent
• If a person has sex with another person without their consent it is a crime
• A person may not give their consent freely if they are asleep, are unconscious or severely impaired due to alcohol, have a learning disability, are under 17 or have been coerced in any other way that is reckless
• When a person is taken advantage of in any of these circumstances whereby they have not given their consent freely, they suffer the huge trauma of the effects of being raped

The National 24 hour helpline for the victims of rape and sexual abuse is:

1 800 77 88 88

A new beginning at the end of the line

Keep this number keyed into your mobile but hopefully you won’t have to use it

For further information please contact:
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, CEO – 01 661 4911 / 086 809 9618