Groundbreaking Laois report on sexual violence against women

A groundbreaking research report led by Laois Domestic Abuse Service has found that a shockingly high number of Laois women who are victims of sexual violence, were first abused as children, and most of them by a relative.

Healing & Hope, launched last week in Portlaoise library, also found that women with autism are more at risk of sexual violence.

The report provides important evidence that will help protect women not just in Ireland, but in Europe.

At its heart are 11 Laois women who experienced sexual violence in their adult relationships and are among the 550 women yearly coming to LDAS for support.

They bravely volunteered to take part in the research over a year long period.

They opened up to therapists, sharing their views and their painful past experiences.

Ten of the 11 were first subjected to sexual violence when they were aged under 12. 70% of the perpretators at that time were relatives.

Five of the 11 women scored on the autism spectrum. Six of them had close relatives with autism.

They have all been helped to recover through therapy.

Marna Carroll, service director of LDAS, said up to 70% of women who come to them for aid, suffered sexual violence in relationships.

Speakers and audience at the launch of the report Healing & Hope by Laois Domestic Abuse Service, in Portlaoise Library on November 12. Photos: Leinster Express

Thanking the women who volunteered, she said they want to establish a family justice centre in Laois.

Such a centre would be the first in the Republic, with the only other one on the island of Ireland being in Derry.

It would give a wraparound support to women escaping violence of all kinds, with TUSLA and Gardaí all working together on site.

“Women are sick of having to go from one place to another, telling their same story again and again which is re- traumatising.” she said.

The launch was attended by Bert Groen, President of the European Family Justice Center Alliance which funded the research.

“The correct approach can save lives. It starts by giving them a voice. I will bring this report to the attention of our partners in the EU. It is reflective not just of Laois but all victims. It is our joint responsibility to stop this”.

The psychotherapist was Claire Boland, and the researcher Caroline Crowley.

Ms Crowley said that domestic, sexual and gender based violence is a “pandemic” and that communities must form support systems so children and women are empowered to tell someone and get help.

“We are grateful to these women for their incredible vision, their courage and their trust. A specialist sexual violence support service based in Laois would signal that the time of silencing survivors is over,” Ms Crowley said.

Senior Gardaí, TUSLA and other professionals attended the launch, as well as Ellen O'Malley Dunlop from Rathdowney, member of the Council of Europe's GREVIO committee, and past CEO of the Rape Crisis Centre.

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"Thank you to Marna and congratulations. I am struck by the high risk of perpretators being a relative. I agree with your recommendation of a whole of society education. It must start in our communities and in our schools, with age appropriated education from kindergarten to third level.

"We see more victims waiving anonymity and naming perpretators so that that shame goes back exactly where it belongs. 

"We owe (the women) a great debt for speaking out. A huge congratulations to your team and your board," Ms O'Malley Dunlop said.