But the offences throw into the spotlight violence against women in Ireland, especially sexual violence. They are troubled by online sexual offending and about pornography giving rise to sex crimes, especially among teenage boys. According to the much maligned crime statistics for the Republic, sexual offending is rising and the rate of that increase is gathering pace. In 2016, the Garda’s Youth Diversion Programme dealt with 334 sexual offences, some 13 per cent of all sex offences that year. Asked why some men become sexual offenders while others do not, she is quick to point out sexual violence is neither new, nor carried out exclusively by men.

Source: The Irish Times May 26, 2018 04:52 UTC