A NEW SURVEY launched today shows that 16 per cent of students are subject to an unwanted sexual experience while in education.

That number rises to 20 per cent for girls, while 11 per cent of girls suffer unwanted sexual contact.

The Say Something research by the Union of Students Ireland surveyed 2,750 students and found that just three per cent of those who had an unwanted experience reported it to the Gardaí.

“USI decided to conduct this study because there was a lack of research on this area. We hope that the results will help this area and inform future campaigns in relation to students’ experiences of violence, including physical violence, sexual violence, harassment, stalking and obsessive behaviour.

The victim is never to blame. USI hopes that this study will help to open up dialogue around these issues among the student body.

The study also found that LGBT students are more likely to encounter these experiences.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said that young people still have a lot to learn.

“It is also evident that there is still a big gap in how we educate young people about sex, relationships and the responsible use of alcohol.

“We welcome the proposed national campaign to raise the awareness of the issues and of the supports available to students and we look forward to working with them to develop and deliver these campaigns.”

Read: Nearly a quarter of Asian Pacific men have raped a woman