Over half of Irish women have experienced sexual violence, new figures from the CSO have revealed.

This is the first CSO survey in 20 years to measure the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland.

Of the 13,000 Irish adults surveyed, 40% said they experienced sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.

Of those, 80% said they already knew the perpetrator.

Gender-based violence

The survey found that females were more likely to experience sexual violence than men – 52% of women experienced sexual violence in their lifetime compared with 28% of men.

In terms of age, around 65% of women aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual violence – compared with 17% for men aged 65 and over.

The survey also found that 10% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced sexual violence as a child, while 2% of men in the same age group reported the same.

One-in-five adults experienced unwanted contact sexual violence as a child (20%) and a similar number experienced unwanted non-contact sexual violence (19%).

Under half of those surveyed (47%) later told a person, group of people or organisation about their assault.

Some 34% of men later told a person or organisation about their assault - compared to 53% of women.

The data collected will inform policy in several areas, including justice and equality, health and social service provision to survivors, education and children.

Anyone affected by the issues raised in the survey can contact the following helplines:

National Sexual Violence Helpline (for men and women) - 1800 778 888 or rapecrisishelp.ie

National Domestic Violence Helpline (for women) - 1800 341 900

Male Advice Line (for men experiencing domestic abuse) - 1800 816 588