Patsy McGarry
Sexual violence against people with disabilities in residential institutions is prevalent, according to the Rape Crisis network.
The group's national co-ordinator, Ms Fiona Neary, said: "We have tended to desexualise and even dehumanise people with learning disabilities, and many people find it difficult to believe the extent of sexual violence in such cases," she said.
Research highlighted the difficulties women with learning difficulties had in gaining access to medical, psychological and legal help when sexually abused, as there was "a culture of disbelief", she said.
It was also the case that, the greater the level of disability, the greater the risk with regard to sexual violence.
There had been no research on the extent of such abuse in Ireland, but anecdotal evidence indicated it was prevalent, she said. Research in the UK indicated that as many as 1,400 such cases were reported annually and that they occurred right across the disabilities spectrum.
"Ireland must have an independent inspectorate which has the expertise and authority to identify if residential settings can protect the human rights of residents," she said.
Meanwhile the Children At Risk in Ireland (CARI) group has called for urgent action where protection of patients in institutions is concerned.
"The fact that this woman was allegedly raped by five different men over an 11-year period raises serious questions about the protection we are providing to those who, along with children, are the most vulnerable members of our society," it said in a statement yesterday.
It also was "concerned about the lack of attention paid to the family of the alleged victim who had raised numerous concerns about the high level of medication she was on and the decline in her physical and emotional health. The level of medication she was on rendered her more vulnerable to sexual abuse."
It called for regular inspection of all settings caring for children and adults with disabilities; training for all childcare professionals on detecting signs and symptoms of sexual abuse; and wider availability of therapeutic support for all those who have experienced sexual abuse.