[ad_1]
A survey conducted by this newspaper following Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin’s disclosures about the harassment campaign he suffered while working at UCD, found that 12 TDs had been sexually harassed in college, in their political activism or at work.
A series of questions were sent to the 34 TD women as part of the anonymous survey.
- 12 had suffered sexual harassment at some point in their lives
- 17 have received an insult or sexist comment from a man to their face while working in politics
- 17 said they had been “trolled” or had received sexist insults or harassment on social media.
A TD who has worked at Leinster House for several years said she was not surprised by the figures: “I have noticed a change in the Oireachtas in recent years, but I don’t know if it is because I am stronger and not I do not tolerate it, or men that surround me are different.
“I am often overlooked by questions on committees or told what questions to ask. I don’t even notice it anymore.
It is understood that several TD women at Leinster House have reported death threats to the Gardai in previous years, but are unwilling to release the reports to the press.
In 2019, Ireland was reported to have the highest level of reported sexual harassment in Europe, among the worst in the world.
A survey of nearly 31,000 people in 40 countries conducted by survey and market research giant WIN International found that 32% of Irish women between the ages of 18 and 34 have experienced some form of sexual harassment in the past 12 months, the second highest of the 40 countries surveyed and the worst in Europe. Mexico fared worse with 43%.
The rate of reported sexual harassment in Ireland among women in this age group was double that of the UK and more than double the world average.
Orla O’Connor, director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), said the results show that anyone can be sexually harassed.
“In the Women’s Council we know that sexual harassment is frequent, it is present in all sectors in all areas in different workplaces,” she said.
“Recent revelations from third-level institutions have highlighted it but it is in all sectors, it is about how we approach it in a comprehensive manner, the important thing is that the government has a strategy on gender violence that includes sexual harassment.
“Sexual harassment has its roots in power, gender inequality and the general treatment of women and it is not something that exists in isolation.
“The experience can have a huge effect on the lives of women, it comes from a sense of male entitlement that ranges from sexual harassment to sexual violence, they come from the same place.
“The fact is that we have very little Irish data to exploit, it is a real problem, to address and direct resources to big problems like sexual harassment, we need our understanding to be based on figures.
“The reason we don’t have this data is that it is not taken seriously.”
West Cork Social Democrat Holly Cairns says she was “at the end of her rope” with sexist remarks when the February general election campaign ended.
“I’m not surprised by the numbers at all, it’s terrible, regardless of whether it’s not surprising,” he said.
“The week after I was elected, I was talking to someone and they asked my name before saying, ‘Look, being the wife of a politician is no life for you.’
“He had been on the candidate list in the general election since November and Christopher (O’Sullivan Fianna Fáil TD and Ms Cairns partner) was added in February, at a subsequent council meeting, a councilor said: ‘It will be better Get used to being a stay at home now, Holly. ‘
“The presumption is that he takes politics more seriously than I do, running as a Social Democrat in West Cork and the council was very difficult and I had to work for every vote, but apparently I’m not as involved in my career. It’s constant.”
Ms Cairns has called for more effective gender quotas in policy and maternity leave for TDs as a way to address the problem, noting that the Oireachtas should be a model for all Irish workplaces.
“It is an ingrained cultural and social problem, but we can work on this,” he said.
“In every case of abuse, the victim feels responsible, it does not matter if it is domestic violence or sexual harassment and that is what is so harmful.”
“We have a legal system in which rape victims are tried, vilified and discredited by a misogynistic system, a woman’s underwear has been passed through a courtroom.
“What does that say to someone who is concerned that they are responsible for being sexually harassed? If you are saying to yourself, maybe it is because of my appearance? Well, there is your answer to what society thinks.
“There is a lot we can do to address this, but we need unanimous support.” One thing that would obviously help is equal participation, gender quotas for female candidates at the entrances, and ending larger parties that have women as transferred candidates. The candidates are the sweepers, they are not expected to enter.
“People say that women should participate on merit and it is presumed that women have not been good enough, despite the enormous obstacles to achieving it.”
Addressing sexual assault and harassment in Irish society will be high on this government’s agenda, according to Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.
“It is time to move on,” the minister said last week.
“It’s time we faced this and it’s time we did something about it. It’s a conversation that we should have in every home. On every campus.
Myself & @HMcEntee We are determined in our respective roles to address the problem of sexual harassment and help bring about the necessary changes. Much work to do. Excited to partner on this pic.twitter.com/tkLpV6Rv0A
– Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 10, 2020
“I promise you that, along with my colleague, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, we are committed to being the voice for change in this area. To change the laws you have to change. Advocate and educate ”.
[ad_2]