A new six part series from Newstalk exploring the realities of sexual assault in Ireland, in conjunction with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

In the first of a six part series produced by Newstalk along with Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, we speak to Charlene Masterson who was blackmailed and sexually assaulted by her father for over 7 years. Charlene recalls how the abuse first began and the shocking moment she realised her father was the cause of so much hurt. She also demonstrates the immense strength within survivors and the crucial role friends, family and society at large can play to support those impacted by sexual assault.

We’re also joined by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh to help us further understand the prevalence of sexual assault and rape in Ireland and what more needs to be done to prevent it.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon.

Each episode in this series focuses on a different aspect of a sexual assault and the aftermath. This week we look at reporting it as a crime. Kathleen Correia had never been in a Garda station before she went in to report her husband for rape and coercive control. She tells us about her experience with the Gardaí and how important it was to be believed.

71% of sexual assault victims in Ireland don’t go to the Gardaí and we wanted to get a better understanding of the hesitations as well as what happens if you do decide to report an incident. Detective Sergeant Dave Connolly from the Divisional Protective Services Unit, (DPSU) explains what they do and what the process is once a report is made.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon.

In this episode, as we continue to explore the aftermath of a sexual assault, we are going to speak about something that is a huge decision for lots of survivors, the choice to come forward and waive their right to anonymity.

Blathnaid Raleigh made that difficult decision to step into the spotlight and name her rapist, after spending years following the attack feeling like she and her family were being silenced. She explains why it was so important to her to tell her story.

We also look at the media reaction to a rape trial and the care needed when reporting on these cases and to do so, we speak to Newstalk Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon

Each of the survivors we have spoken to so far has mentioned how difficult it is to fight for justice, be it a concern about being believed or a delay in the trial going ahead. We wanted to learn more about the experience once you finally get your day in court. Despite being a solicitor herself, Sarah Grace found the legal proceedings harder to endure than the sexual assault itself. In this episode, she tells us how she was shocked to learn about the need to disclose her therapy notes and the tough cross examination she faced despite the clear-cut evidence against the man who broke into her home and attacked her in the middle of the night.

Barrister Gemma McLoughlin Burke offers her insight as to the reasons behind delays to trials and explains why despite all of the setbacks, she is positive about the direction of the Irish legal system.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon.

In this episode, we wanted to explore impact of sexual assault and to look at the way it can affect not only the victim but also ripple out into their family and the wider community.

Áine McHugh struggled to cope after she was sexually assaulted between the ages of 16 and 17 by a man she was working for as a babysitter. She missed out on key milestones in her life, and felt she had no future until she began to attend counselling and therapy. Áine is a real inspiration and is doing much better now, this is her first ever interview and she told her story with so much courage and grace.

To speak about the importance of getting help, and how therapy can give you the tools to cope, we also spoke to Yvonne Barnewell the Therapy Services Manager with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon.

In every episode of Breaking the Silence, we’ve spoken to survivors of rape and sexual assault to learn more about the issues they faced following an attack. But in the final episode of the series, we want to talk not just about the aftermath but about how we can prevent sexual violence and reduce the number of people this affects in the future.

Chris Rooke decided not to go through the justice system after his experience of sexual assault, but that hasn’t stopped him from using his voice to fight for change. In this episode Chris explains the changes he wants to see, and what we can learn from listening to each other more and having difficult discussions.

We know that education is also a crucial part of prevention and to explain what we are teaching our kids and the issues impacting them deputy principal Eoghan Cleary also joins us.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available. Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888.

This podcast was supported by Avolon.