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THE NUMBER OF rapes reported to the gardaí jumped 28% last year amid an increase in the number of sexual offences and a rise in practically all types of crime.
According to 2017 crime data, released by the Central Statistics Office today, there were 655 instances of rape recorded by the gardaí last year.
That figure represents an increase in 144 rapes when compared to 2016 and it is part of a wider rise in sexual offences, which increased by nearly 17%.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland labelled the jump in figures “shocking” before calling on the government to ensure that reliable data on sexual violence is available.
“These crime statistics only represent those who report and are therefore the tip of the iceberg,” Clíona Saidléar, RCNI Executive Director, said.
The CSO figures show a rise in almost all categories of crime. There was also a sharp increase in fraud, with 23% more instances recorded last year than 2016. Attempted violent crime, such as attempted murder and assault, also rose by 13%.
Revised stats
It is the first time the statistics office has released crime data in more than a year due to concerns about the accuracy of information supplied by the gardaí.
The figures are filed in a newly created “under reservation” category to reflect “data quality issues” in the sources used to compile the stats.
“PULSE data is now subject to a number of separate ongoing quality reviews and does not currently meet the CSO’s standards for completeness and accuracy,” statistician Olive Loughnane said in a statement.
As part of today’s release the CSO also published revised figures for the period from 2003 to 2016. The number of homicides rose a staggering 20% under the revised stats.
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Rape and sexual assault are notoriously under-reported crimes. A spike in reports is more likely to result from increased willingness to come forward on the part of victims than an actual increase in instances of the offences. Let’s also not forget that the whole #metoo thing gained major traction last year.
I’d cautiously suggest that this is a good thing.
At the rate the Gardai are recording errors in figures I would say that could change as well
@cormac o neill: ever made a mistake? ever use totally outdated technology and get 21st century accuracy?
@BigSFLou..ny: sorry Garda!
@truthdetective101: heard a knob head on the radio today say No means No and sometimes Yes doesn’t always mean Yes haha.
But you just told us the garda figures were not accurate.
What the hell are we teaching in our schools is there any sex education coarse available
@Johnny Mason: friction is not really desirable when it comes to such activity.
@Johnny Mason: 20 years ago our sex education entailed a class with a nun and a video from the 1970s – I’m not sure much has changed there – except what kids are now exposed to online and in media.
@Johnny Mason: Yes, because thats going to make all the difference. Rape isnt about sex, its about violence against women
@Felecity: your definition would suggest that it cannot happen to a man? Be more careful with your language.
@Felecity: and men, men get raped too. And women can lie, it’s quite common too.
@truthdetective101: but only migrant women…..
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