Mary and the team at CIT S.H.A.G week.
Thanks to all who stopped by.

Sexual violence and older people
New figures reveal 123 people aged 55 or older attended a rape crisis centre in Ireland in 2010.

Over 100 children in Ireland vanished from State care
John O’Mahoney, Garda assistant commissioner, said recently that 114 children who have been reported missing in the past five years are still missing. A staggering 106 of those 114 children were reported missing while in care of the State.

More than 100 children remain on Ireland’s missing persons list, it has been revealed.
But one of the country’s most senior Garda officers said there was no way to compare the figures with overseas because of “protocols” used to record them here.

Overexposure of young people to porn is ‘like a car crash’

Teenagers are being damaged by overexposure to pornography, with Ireland in the grip of a “catastrophe” of sexual violence, the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland has warned.

It’s “never too late” to address sexual violence
OLDER WOMEN are being encouraged that it is never too late to address past sexual violence. The message comes as a new DVD for older women affected by sexual violence is released by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) and the Older Women’s Network (OWN)

Figures from a soon-to-be-released study by the Sexual Violence Centre Cork reveal that a significant number of male students believe that women who claim to have been raped are partly responsible for it.

The Attitudes to Sexual Violence survey found that up to 50% of male respondents believed that a woman who goes out alone at night or wears provocative clothing puts herself in a position to be raped.

Please click here for full article.

‘Slut Walks’ started in Toronto and events are being organised for destinations across the States, the UK and Europe. The information below is a little about the campaign, check the website for more details. An article appeared in the Examiner on May 9 discussing the issue. See link to article below.

Article in Examiner on May 9 2011

The protest movement, sparked by a Toronto police officer’s remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like “sluts”, came to Boston after advocates saw similar events — largely organised through Facebook and Twitter — pop up in Canada, England and other parts of the US. To read article in full please click here.

On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”.

As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.

Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated.

Posters the campaign use.

Women’s groups call for action over rape comments

The chief executive of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Susan McKay, called on Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to act immediately against a number officers accused of making jokes about rape.
For full article please click here.

Garda attitude to rape crucial

MOST SURVIVORS of rape have a positive experience of the Garda but it is critical that they feel confident they will be treated with dignity and respect at every stage of their journey. For full article please click here.

The 16 days is an international campaign started in 1991 by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in New York to highlight and raise awareness of violence against women as a human rights issue.

Visiting the City Hall and the College of Commerce.

Visiting the Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ballincolig Secondary School, Loreto Convent Fermoy

Visiting the Health Promotion Unit, Medical Students and other locations throughout the city.

Visiting the County Hall.

Cork 16 Days of Action Cork Campaign

The Sexual Violence Centre participated in the 16 Days of Action campaign throughout the city. The centre visited the College of Commerce, Loreto College Fermoy, Cork City Hall, Cork County Hall, Cork University Maternity College and other locations throughout the city.

Thank you to all who spent time talking with us and for helping to raise awareness of this campaign.

Christmas is coming and it is that time of year to start posting cards to friends and relatives. The Sexual Violence Centre has a selection of Christmas cards available and these cards are unique as they capture Christmas in Cork. The cards are available from the centre and local shops in packs of 6 for €5.

Email us at info@sexualviolence.ie if you are available to sell cards in your area.

Minister Ahern Launches new Victims Charter on 20 July 2010

Speaking at the launch in Dublin, Minister Ahern said:

“The new Charter is written in plain English, accessible to victims and to front line staff in the criminal justice agencies. Its common sense English should minimise any confusion about what victims can expect and what is expected of the criminal justice system.”

The Minister added: “The emphasis is on getting information out there to victims in ways that they find useful.”

The Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System describes the criminal justice system from a crime victim’s point of view. It sets out your rights and entitlements to the services given by the various state agencies, and one voluntary sector organisation, working with crime victims