Disclosure of sexual violence

A disclosure of sexual violence happens when someone informs another person, or a service, about what happened to them. Disclosures can take place years after an incident, or incidents, or in the immediate aftermath.

Many victims/survivors may never feel able to make a disclosure about the sexual violence they have experienced. In DRCC, we recognise the importance of not placing pressure on victim/survivors to disclose or to tell their stories unless they choose to do so.

While some victim/survivors may never disclose an experience of sexual violence, others will find relief, comfort and safety in making a disclosure. The CSO Sexual Violence Survey found that the most common reason for disclosing sexual violence was to access support and the second most common reason was motivated by helping others and preventing further victimisation.

DRCC supports victim/survivors to make disclosures of sexual violence to whomever they wish to do so and believes it is their decision if and when they might choose to report sexual violence to the Gardaí.

Please remember that free, confidential and non-judgmental support is there 24/7 for anyone affected by sexual violence, including family and friends of victims and survivors, on the National Helpline at 1800 778888.

CSO Sexual Violence Survey data

Childhood experience of sexual violence & disclosed it to someone/disclosed to the police

(Source: CSO SVS 2023, CSO SVS 2023)

Male: 23% disclosed to another personof which 8% reported to police

1.84% of men who experienced sexual violence as a child disclosed to the police

Female: 49% disclosed to another personof which 13% reported to police

6.37% of women who experienced sexual violence as a child disclosed it to the police

Child female disclosureChild male disclosure

Adult experience of sexual violence & disclosed it to someone/disclosed to the police

(Source: CSO SVS 2023, CSO SVS 2023)

Male: 43% disclosed to another personof which 4% reported to police

1.72% of men who experienced sexual violence as an adult disclosed to the police

Female: 35% disclosed to another personof which 6% reported to police2.09% of women who experienced sexual violence as an adult disclosed to the police
Adult male disclosureDisclosure (16)

DRCC data

(Source: DRCC Annual Report 2022)

24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline

DRCC Relationship between (2)There were 18,400 contacts with the National Helpline
in 2022, a 31% increase over 2021 when there were
14,012 contacts.

 

DRCC client disclosures/reporting to Gardaí

Disclosure (19)
Of 286 new clients in 2022, some 105 had reported the crimes against them to the Gardai (either in 2022 or previously), a reporting rate of 37%.