Rape victim Niamh Ní Dhomhnaill has said Newstalk radio broadcaster George Hook’s comments on “implied consent” in relationships were “insensitive” and “upsetting”.
The former teacher (28), who was raped by her boyfriend while she slept, spoke to Ray D’Arcy on his show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Thursday.
Mr D’Arcy said he supposed Mr Hook was from “a different time”, but agreed with Ms Ní Dhomhnaill that this was “no excuse”.
Ms Ní Dhomhnaill said she did not think Mr Hook meant any harm by the comments, but that “nonetheless it did hurt people”.
“I think they were insensitive comments at any point but it was the wrong time, the wrong context of a conversation and the wrong week in Irish news and in Irish society and for anyone affected by these issues,” she said.
Chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Ellen O’ Malley Dunlop, speaking on the show, said she thinks Mr Hook’s comments show a widely held view about rape and highlighted the importance of education on the topic.
At the start of his show on Wednesday, Mr Hook said it was never his intention to be insensitive and said he did not say “a man has implied consent from the woman with whom he shares a bed”.
‘A betrayal’
“What happened was a betrayal of the worst kind,” the broadcaster said.
“As a husband a father and a grandfather I’m shocked and saddened by this case.”
A seven-year suspended sentence was handed down to Magnus Meyer Hustveit (25) on Monday after he was found to have repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted Ms Ní Dhomhnaill while she slept.
Ms Ní Dhomhnaill has waived her right to anonymity following the trial and said she feels “liberated and empowered” in telling her story.
“This is so much bigger than me,” she said.
Ms O’Malley Dunlop urged rape victims not to be discouraged to report the crime following the leniency of the sentence, which she believes is “exceptional”.
Ms Ní Dhomhnaill said she is not fully aware of her rights but that she hopes to appeal the ruling.
“Personally as a victim, you feel like you’re not given adequate information,” she said.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald published the Heads of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill on Thursday, which she said aims to put victims “at the heart of the justice system”.
To contact the Rape Crisis Centre, call (01) 661 4911 or email rcc@indigo.ie.