A representative of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre spoke to Shane Coleman about the float and the outrage it caused.

The CEO of DRCC (Dublin Rape Crisis Centre) Rachel Morrogh, said the video of an “Epstein files” themed St Patrick’s day float in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo "sets us back". 

The footage of the float shows a tractor pulling a float, with one sign reading ‘Epstein Files’, one person on the float wearing a pink wig and lying on a mattress is being wrestled down by others.

A few moments later, people are shown running next to the float as sweets are handed to children in the crowd.

Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, CEO of the DRCC (Dublin Rape Crisis Centre) Rachel Morrogh said she had looked at the video a couple of times and had been shocked “every time”. 

“There is no excuse that would ever make it okay”, she said. 

“I can hardly believe what I've seen. It was not designed not to signpost victims of sexual violence towards support, but actually the aim was to trivialise and mock and joke about sexual violence. 

“It has no place anywhere and I found it absolutely sickening to look at.”

She said that events like these are an example “why survivors don't feel comfortable telling anyone what happened to them.”

She acknowledged the apologies made by the organisers who were unaware of the float’s contents but called out “some excuses made in the face of something inexcusable”. 

“We're already receiving calls in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. 

“We're getting calls from all around the country from victims who've been re-traumatised by looking at this video. They’re thinking this is what some people actually think."

Protest against sexual assault. Photo by Alexander Pohl.

Ms Morrogh urged anyone affected by the contents of the float to call the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for support. 

“We're going to be open all night, 24 hours”, she said. 

“[This event]  really harks to the fact that for all the progress that we've made on this issue, there's still so much more to do.

“There is a real danger of joking about sexual violence that you silence victims who are worried that if they speak out, they won't be believed. 

“Out of self-preservation, they don't come forward for fear of negative reaction.”

Ms Morrogh said cases like this were really upsetting because they make a mockery not just of the work carried out by DRCC but of the trauma that sexual violence causes. 

“Videos like this set us back,” she said. 

“When you scratch away the veneer, sometimes you see something really, really ugly. I think that's what I've seen today.

“I can't describe what a traumatic effect it has on your life.  it's very difficult to heal from, but you can eventually.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on the free phone 24 hour National Helpline at 1-800-778-8888.

Main Image: Dublin Crisis Rape Centre.