Victims encouraged to seek vital support through sexual violence campaign

By Nicole McBride, PA

Victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence are being encouraged to seek vital support through a new six-week campaign.

The Always Here awareness campaign is designed to inform and reassure victims and survivors of sexual violence that help is available when they are ready to seek support.

This new multimedia campaign was developed by Cuan – the Irish domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan launched the scheme with the hope it will empower men and women to speak out and seek support about their experiences.

He said: “We know the importance of criminal justice, of strong legislation, of improving policy, and of a coordinated approach in our work to combat sexual violence.

“But a fundamental priority will always be to ensure that victims and survivors feel encouraged and empowered to speak out about their experience, and to seek support.

“Figures from the CSO Sexual Violence Study found that almost half of those – women and men – who had experienced sexual violence did not tell anyone else what had happened to them. We need to do better, we need to tell victims that they are not alone, that there are supports available, and that they will be heard.

“This new campaign that I am honoured to launch will go a long way in conveying this important message.”

A campaign website – alwayshere.ie – has been launched with information on national helplines for victims subjected to domestic abuse and sexual violence, with an online interactive map helping people find local services in their area.

Cuan chief executive Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe said: “This campaign was made to help victims find the available support services. Victims and survivors are not alone. Help and support is always here for them.

“Raising awareness and informing the general public of existing services is one piece of the puzzle in efforts to prevent sexual violence. It is strongly interlinked with other preventive measures that must be taken as part of a comprehensive response.”

The campaign coincides with a new Cuan-funded report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) as part of a research programme on measuring sexual violence prevalence.

In the 2022 Sexual Violence Survey in Ireland, it was estimated 52 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men would experience a form of sexual violence at some point in their lives.

Dr Elish Kelly, lead author of the report, said: “Comparisons of sexual violence rates over time are found to be complicated by differences in definitions and measurement approaches.

“It is important to consider these issues when examining sexual violence prevalence rates and when developing future surveys examining sexual, or any type of gender-based, violence.”

An ad campaign highlighting the “you are not alone” message central to the campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and out of home platforms until November 2nd.

It tells a story of a survivor of sexual abuse and her journey towards hope and healing.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.