Ireland Has Still Got A Consent Problem

Ireland has still got a consent problem – if the recent statistics by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are anything to go by.

Irish people are more aware of consent in general, but many young men remain worryingly ‘unsure’ of how to put it into practice.

So much so that nearly 1 in 4 men under 45 (23%) say they would “probably keep going” if they suspected their partner isn’t enjoying a sexual encounter.

Similarly, 27% of men believe that “sometimes people say no when they want convincing,” while 43% of men under 45 believe the same – up 8 percent since the previous year. 

These concerning stats come from the DRCC’s We-Consent campaign, which proves a consistent and prevalent lack of understanding around consent in Ireland.

While 93 percent of those surveyed (men and women), say they understand the issues around a lack of consent, young men (between 18-24) are the least confident.

 

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16 percent of young men say they are unsure what consent actually means, while only 64 percent of men aged from 35-54 feel comfortable discussing consent with those closest to them.

Sarah Monaghan, We-Consent Manager, says that the statistics prove that myths around consent are still prevelent in Irish culture. 

“Some 43% of men aged under 45 believe the harmful myth that ‘sometimes people say no when they want convincing,'” she says.

“Alarmingly, this is up 8% since our last survey in January 2024, showing that regressive narratives about masculinity, sex, and power are not only persisting, but may be gaining ground. 

“This belief is deeply rooted in decades of cultural messaging, from film and television to advertising and romantic literature, that casts men as pursuers who must persist and ‘win over’ reluctant partners.

“For generations, the idea that ‘no’ actually means ‘try harder’ has been romanticised, but in reality, it’s a dangerous distortion.”

She goes on: “We need to unlearn the idea that consent means convincing someone to say yes. Real consent is about mutual enthusiasm and respect – not pressure or persistence.” 

You can find out more about We-Consent here.