Nearly two-thirds of scholars in Northern Eire who took half in a joint research have had an undesirable sexual expertise - which has had a detrimental influence on their psychological well being, in accordance with a brand new report.
Seen by the BBC, analysis by Ulster College and QUB teachers surveyed greater than 1,000 college students from each universities for the UNSEENATUNI research, representing about 2% of the scholar physique in NI.
Justice Minister Naomi Lengthy has stated she is alarmed by the findings and described them as "uncomfortable studying".
She wrote a foreword for the report, which gathered info on Undesirable and Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences reported by college college students in Northern Eire.
These "ranged from undesirable sexual contact (e.g., kissing, groping), to tried coercion, coercion, tried rape, and rape" in accordance with the research.
One in 5 of these surveyed have been males, who skilled a low occasion of undesirable sexual expertise. The vast majority of members have been girls and three quarters have been undergraduates.
Sir John Gillen, who carried out a serious evaluation into intercourse offence instances, had really useful that analysis needs to be commissioned on the prevalence, nature and experiences of significant sexual offences - in addition to obligatory relationship and intercourse training for youngsters from a younger age.
"Out of 1,033 college students, 679 (63%) reported experiencing a minimum of one kind of USE and 383 members (37%) reported no experiences," the report stated.
Solely half of these surveyed stated they'd informed somebody about their expertise and solely a tiny quantity - about 4% - had made a proper report back to their college.
"An extra concern is that many had not disclosed this expertise to their college and have been unaware of college sexual misconduct insurance policies or the place to seek out them, emphasising that present pathways to assist stay unclear for individuals who want it most," the report stated.
Lots of the college students stated they'd skilled poor psychological well being on account of the undesirable sexual expertise - together with nervousness, despair, dangerous alcohol consumption and potential post-traumatic stress dysfunction.
Those that took half have been additionally requested about their attitudes in the direction of sexual consent generally and their ideas about sexual consent following alcohol consumption.
The report stated that the majority college students "agreed that an individual can not consent totally when alcohol is concerned and shouldn't be blamed if they're subjected to a USE when alcohol is concerned".
College students have been "aware of points surrounding sexual consent" however might not focus on it "within the context of a sexual encounter", the report stated.
Additionally mentioned have been "rape myths" which may result in victims being blamed for his or her behaviour.
"Examples embody that girls who put on quick skirts are 'asking for it' or that males who've been raped should be homosexual," the report stated.
The research discovered that usually college students who took half have been conscious "of the extra widespread myths about rape and sexual violence".
Within the foreword to the report, Naomi Lengthy stated: "Whereas the findings are alarming, I nonetheless welcome the publication of this analysis, as it is just after we begin to recognise and acknowledge the problem we face, that we are able to begin to tackle it," she stated.
"Many individuals usually are not clear concerning the boundaries of consent and I recognise that extra wants performed to coach and inform and to name out unacceptable and undesirable sexual behaviour."