Dear Sir,

 

Sexual violence continues to be one of the most serious challenges for our society. The paucity of data on this issue, particularly of a survivor-centered nature, highlights the considerable gaps in knowledge that currently exist. There can also be considerable difficulty in conducting good quality, robust research as a result. In recent years, we the undersigned have, in partnership with and made possible by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI), had the opportunity to engage in research, learning and sharing on this issue, some of which has been truly ground-breaking. 

 

As academics, researchers and partners of RCNI, we call on the Irish government to reinstate the funding for this essential and unique resource, which helps to bridge the gap between academic expertise, emerging sexual violence issues and survivors. The continuing provision of high quality national data not available elsewhere in Ireland is of utmost importance in this regard.

 

Ailbhe Smith, Former Head of Women’s Studies, UCD

Dr. Conor Hanly, Lecturer, School of Law, NUI Galway

Dr. Cris M. Sullivan, Director, MSU Research Consortium on Gender-based Violence, Michigan State University

Dr. Debra Patterson, Associate Professor, Wayne State University

Dr. Deirdre Healy, Lecturer, Sutherland School of Law, UCD

Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, Deputy Director, Centre for Disability Law and Policy, NUI Galway

Dr. Eimear Spain, Lecturer, School of Law, University of Limerick

Dr. Fergus Hogan, Co-ordinator, Centre for Social and Family Research, Waterford Institute of Technology

Dr. Jennifer Yeager, Lecturer in Psychology, School of Humanities, Waterford Institute of Technology

Dr. Liz Kelly, Director, Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University

Dr. Marie Keenan, College Lecturer, School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, UCD

Dr. Maureen Lyons, Researcher and Research Manager, School of Social Justice, UCD

Dr. Pádraig MacNeela, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, NUI Galway

Dr. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, NUI Galway

Dr. Stacey Scriver, Research Associate, Centre for Global Women’s Studies, School of Political Science and Sociology, NUI Galway

Dr. Susan Leahy, Lecturer, School of Law, University of Limerick

Helen Bartlett L.LM, Irish Centre for Human Rights

Professor Shane Kilcommins, Head of School of Law, University of Limerick