One-in-five people believe there are “a lot” of false rape allegations in Ireland, according to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). The finding comes as part of the organisation’s second annual national study on the attitudes towards and experiences of rape and sexual violence in the country, published on Wednesday, September 30.

The research, carried out by Ipsos B&A and funded by Community Foundation Ireland, shows that attitudes that can contribute to survivors’ concerns about coming forward are still prevalent. Fear of not being believed is the biggest barrier, cited by 82% of adults.

As stated by DRCC, this fear may be justified, as the study suggests that one-in-five adults (19%) believe that there are “a lot” of false rape allegations made in Ireland. Only 56% say they would believe someone who told them they had been raped while drunk or taking drugs, while 35% do not know how they would react.

Sceptical and victim-blaming attitudes are evident across the population at levels of 10-20%, but they are far more common among men under 25. Almost half of young men (48%) believe there are “a lot” of false rape allegations, while a third say accusations should not be believed unless there is a guilty verdict in court or it has been reported to the Gardaí. 40% believe rape and sexual violence are exaggerated by the media, while 14% say they would doubt someone who told them they had been raped while drunk.

Furthermore, 37% of men under 25 believe a person who is raped while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is at least partially responsible, compared to 15% of adults overall. This age bracket is also less likely than the general population to agree that society should do more to recognise rape and sexual violence perpetrated against men (71% compared to 85%), and that assumptions about masculinity discourage male survivors from coming forward (67% compared to 84%).

Sexual violence remains widespread in Ireland. According to DRCC, 31% of adults say they have experienced some form of sexual violence (up from 28% in 2025) and 5% say they have experienced rape. Women are more than twice as like as men to have experienced sexual violence (42% compared to 20%) and are more likely to feel personally at risk (28% compared to 6%). Among women under 25, more than half feel at risk. 

The attitudes of people in Ireland, including around false rape allegations, have direct consequence for survivors. Among those who have experienced rape, only 17% reported it to the Gardaí, 22% sought medical treatment and 28% sought councelling supprt. Two-in-five told only a friend or family member, while 19% told no one at all.

“It is extremely common for survivors to tell Dublin Rape Crisis Centre that they stayed silent because they were afraid that they would not be believed, that they felt it was their fault or that they were ashamed of what happened to them,” CEO of DRCC, Rachel Morrogh, said.

“This research is important because it shows yet again, that these fears of how others will respond are informing survivors’ behaviour and that harmful attitudes are the driving force behind that fear.”

Morrogh added, “The findings on young men are the most striking in the research and underscore the need for engagement, engagement and leadership given that lasting attitudes are shaped early. In early 2027, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre will be working on a new pilot programme to engage with young men on positive masculinity. We will work collaboratively with them to understand the root causes of their opinions and what interventions would help to give them a different worldview that is not so harmful to women and girls.”

However, she concluded, “Although there is much to be concerned about, there is also real cause for hope in these figures. Almost nine in ten people agree that a perpetrator who was drinking is just as responsible for acts of sexual violence as one who was not. The vast majority want society to do more for male survivors. Most people would believe a survivor and want to help; what many lack is the confidence to know what to do next.

“Our message to anyone who is told about sexual violence is simple: believe them, and let them know that free, confidential support is available any time on the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline, 1800 778888.”

Deirdre Boyhan, survivor of sexual violence, shared, “Survivors should never have to carry the guilt or responsibility for what was done to them. That belongs with the perpetrator.

“If we want more people to come forward and seek support, we have to create a society where survivors can be confident that they will be believed, where victim-blaming is challenged, and where people know that what happened to them was not their fault.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dublin Rape Crisis (@dublinrapecrisis)

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s new study comes as a rape investigation in the US is making international headlines. A woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that she was drugged and gang raped in a fraternity house at Cornell University on the night of October 19, 2024. After it was reported to University Police a few weeks later, the Ivy League school states that a panel of trained faculty and staff had issued “a range of sanctions, which included expulsions and suspensions”.

However, New York state prosecutors have reopened an investigation into the case, after the woman filed a civil lawsuit agains the university on September 16, alleging that she was drugged and raped and that Cornell failed to protect her or adequately punish the men involved, now dubbed the “Cornell Seven”.