Survivors of Sexual Violence Must Be Heard

Structures of Engagement Research Launched

Structures to ensure the voices of survivors of sexual violence are heard have been developed by the National Women’s Council in partnership with both Community Foundation Ireland and Cuan (27th April 2026). Denise Charlton of the Foundation shares her reflections at this important moment.

A woman in a white business jacket at a podium. To her right is a presentation scheme. Denise Charlton is speaking at the launch of the research. — Denise Charlton of Community Foundation Ireland speaking at the launch (27th April 2026)

Lived Experiences

The lived experiences of survivors of violence against women must be tantamount if we are to end what remains a national crisis.

Together, today we are being provided with an opportunity to take a big step forward in elevating those voices so they can be heard, acknowledged and responded to with firm actions that will break the cycle of violence once and for all.

For Community Foundation Ireland, our philanthropists, supporters as well as our partners on frontline service provision, in research and our advocates – this is an important moment on the continuing journey for a society free from sexual violence.

Since our establishment in 2000 the Community Foundation has been clear our equality mission cannot be achieved if a single woman or girl has to live with threats, abuse or violence.

That mission and that belief has seen the Foundation partner and work side by side with many of you here today.

As partners we are delivering safe accommodation, helplines and crisis response, court accompaniment, child focussed therapies and so much more.

We have together criminalised coercive control, succeeded in getting consent into all educational curricula, outlawed the purchase of sex and have prostitution recognised as gender-based violence.

We have secured commitments to criminalise sex for rent, to tackle harmful online porn and put the toxicity of the manosphere into a bright spotlight.

Philanthropy has been there when others are unable to be part of ambitious work which requires courage and leadership.

The Foundation is here today as a full partner of this important framework with the observatory at the National Women’s Council and also Cuan – the establishment of which has been another positive development.

The Research

Partnership is central to everything we do at the Community Foundation and this framework launch is the result of our long-standing relationship with the National Observatory – and represents a follow up of initial work undertaken in 2024.

The voices of survivors are essential if we are to respond effectively and end violence against women – this is something which is long accepted.

Yet while our hearts, our commitment and our work has always come from the right place it is also true that our actions to ensure those voices are heard have not always been consistent and effective. Today we are being given the tools to build a framework to correct that.

We should acknowledge upfront that many of the survivors speaking up in this research are clear that they do not want tokenism.

What has come through equally clear is the need to include diverse perspectives by including survivors of all backgrounds and experiences in the design of any framework.

So too is the call from survivors of the need to build readiness within Government and its agencies for meaningful engagement.

I mentioned that Cuan is a partner with the Foundation and the National Women’s Council on this research, and we should all welcome Chief Executive, Stephanie O’Keeffe. Stephanies attendance shows that in her agency your calls are being heard.

The Recommendations

The dividing of recommendation into short and long term demonstrates a realisation that we are about to enter a period of transition between the third and fourth National Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategies.

This publication is yet another reminder that all of us must start planning and preparing for beyond Zero Tolerance.

At the heart of the short-term recommendations is the establishment of a process which allows co-design and co-production of a national survivor network with full inclusivity. Everyone must be heard.

The recommended establishment of a special Lived Experience Advisory Council would see recruitment process focussed on ensuring that the lived experience of all forms of sexual violence is included, including family members bereaved through homicide, femicide or suicide.

The timeline set out is clear and rationale with the goal to inform and shape the new National Strategy.

It is a tribute to Cuan that you seek to place the responsibility for survivor engagement placed with the agency – it is both an acknowledgement of its role but also a call for leadership.

The longer-term recommendations speak to structures and a framework which is established and now growing.

Visionary in nature they foresee a bedding down with a phase where structures will grow in terms of reach with tailored engagement processes to include people of diverse identities and experiences.

It sees the need for flexible mechanisms – allowing more meaningful engagement. As well as the roll out of standards and protocols local, regional and national.

The vision is big – and multi-faceted. But it has to be.

We know the nature of abuse and violence changes, indeed one of the greatest challenges is adapting services and response to keep pace with these crimes.

The longer-term recommendations recognise that reaching and hearing survivor voices in this complex shadowy ever evolving web requires robust but flexible structures and that foresight is to be commended.

The Future

Survivors’ voices must be there if we are to put in place the supports, structures and the laws to end violence against women. Agreement on that is universal – now we have been given a pathway to make that truly happen.

We have been shown the way to turn our well-meaning commitments into truly impactful action.

The recommendations will require consideration – but that must happen at pace mindful that we must be ready to inform and shape the new National Strategy.

This important work would not happen without the women who already share their life experiences so others can be supported, safe-guarded and protected. As a society we owe each of you a debt of gratitude. Thank You.

Researcher and Author Eleri Butler is to be commended for a document which captures the challenges, identifies the actions needed and is mindful of the requirment for short term and longer-term goals. The recommendations are particularly to be commended for being accessible.

On behalf of Community Foundation Ireland, our philanthropists and supporters can I congratulate all involved – and offer our commitment to stay the course until everyone is free from the shadow of sexual violence.

Denise Charlton is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland.

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