THE REALITY OF RAPE

Sir, - I am writing to your paper in response to some of the comments and statements which have been made in the Irish media …

Sir, - I am writing to your paper in response to some of the comments and statements which have been made in the Irish media in the coverage given to Micheline McCormac's book about Lavinia Kerwick. Firstly, The National Network of Rape Crisis Centres would like to clearly state that we believe rape is an act of violence.

The National Network of Rape Crisis Centres does not believe that men cannot control, and cannot be held responsible for, their behaviour. We believe that rapists and perpetrators of sexual violence must be held accountable. We strongly believe that rape and sexual assault must be understood and treated as crimes of violence. There has never been any scientific proof that there is such a thing as a "point of no return" in human sexual desire, after which men no longer know what they are doing, and are therefore no longer accountable. This is a myth, and must be challenged.

Recovering from the trauma of sexual violence is highly personal. For many survivors there will never be a day in court, nor a criminal conviction, and recovery is possible. Having said that we strongly call for the introduction of guidelines for sentencing, training for judges and the judiciary, and separate legal representation for victims of rape and sexual assaults in Ireland, which we believe will make the judicial process less traumatic for those who do report crimes of sexual violence. The National Network of Rape Crisis Centres will continue to lobby for these changes in our legal system. - Yours, etc.,

Administrator,

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National Network of Rape

Crisis Centres,

Augustine Street,

Galway.