ESRI study finds one in four adults in Ireland experienced sexual violence

A report drawing on Ireland’s 2022 Sexual Violence Survey found that 26% of adults had experienced sexual violence as an adult. It identified higher reported risks among women, younger adults, bisexual people and gay men, and found that most perpetrators were known to victims.

• The report found that 26% of adults in Ireland had experienced sexual violence as an adult; the reported figures were 39% for women and 12% for men.· 1 source
• Higher risks were reported among younger adults, bisexual people and gay men, with people aged 25–29 identified as particularly at risk.· 3 sources
• Among people reporting sexual violence, 25% experienced intimate-partner violence only, 40% non-intimate-partner violence only, and 35% both.· 1 source
• Most perpetrators of non-intimate-partner sexual violence were known to the victim; incidents commonly occurred in homes and familiar social settings.· 1 source
• The report says most first experiences occurred between ages 18 and 24 and identifies young adulthood as an important period for prevention and early intervention.· 1 source