Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE FIRST IRISH rape victim to waive her anonymity after the man convicted of raping her received a suspended sentence has said that she was always made to feel that campaigning for the introduction of victim impact statements “was the wrong thing”.
After the man who violently assaulted her when she was 19 walked free, Lavinia Kerwick waived her right to anonymity in an interview with Gerry Ryan on RTÉ 2FM in 1993.
Lavinia told last night’s Late Late Show that she’s never listened back to the interview because she “remembers every word”.
Kerwick credited the late presenter Ryan for helping her to tell her story. Lavinia said last night that Gerry Ryan’s use of the word “rape” caught her attention:
“Pre-90/91, you would never hear the word ‘rape’ on radio, it was like a curse word,” she said.
So I just picked up the phone, and he was the first person in all those months that asked me my name. And I just said ‘My name is Lavinia’ That was it.
She said that the moment was “hugely important” for her.
“It was like sitting beside him, I didn’t realise there were 100,000s of people listening. It was very personal, he was hugely compassionate. From start to finish, I did not hear him interrupt that conversation.”
During her campaign for the introduction of victim impact statements, and said that she was made to feel like she was “doing the wrong thing”. When applause of thanks broke out from presenter Ryan Tubridy and the studio audience for her work to introduce victim impact statements in Ireland, Lavinia said that she hadn’t received anything like it before.
Addressing the camera, she asked for others who had been raped to tell their family, friends, or the authorities.
This guilt and shame does not belong to you, it belongs to the rapist.
If you need to talk, contact:
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this piece, please contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Great woman, fair play to her.
A remarkable woman, whose story and fighting for victim impact statements finally gave victims and/or their families a voice in court. I applaud you Lavinia
Lavinia you have don a lot.for the women of Ireland, delighted to see you on the show last night. Standing ovation said it all.
The judiciary added serious insult to injury in this case.
What a fantastic lady she is. Please remember the man was someone known to her.
I cannot overstate my admiration for Lavinia. I believe that she opened the door for the many victims of sexual abuse and violence who came forward since her interview. I’ve thought of her many times over the years. Her courage brought about critical change in Irish society.
@Deirdre Fitzpatrick: agree. And fair play to Gerry Ryan too. No matter what else he was , he was a brilliant and brave broadcaster at times.
Lavinia is a wonderful intelligent lady. Please remember it was a man known to her who committed this crime.
A life destroyed by a disgusting animal.
It says a lot about old Ireland and the shame, conspiracy of silence and general attitude to rape victims when just one woman’s name can resound and endure the last three decades. To think this prevailed into the 90s and that POS got off without a custodial sentence. She was brave, and Gerry Ryan was a brilliantly progressive talk radio presenter for the still very backwards Ireland of the 90s.
What was the animals name?
@Diogenes: he was married with 3 kids, died 2 years ago aged 42. William Conroy was his name
@Aideen Pollard: 42 seems a tad on the young side. He would have only been 13 in 1991.
@Aideen Pollard: Are you serious, well Fvcking karma to That can’t, hope there is a he’ll and he’s screaming in it.
@Sean: If he was 42 in 2017, that would make him 40 in 2015, 20 in 1995, and 16 in 1991 (possibly 17 depending on birthday). Given that she was 19 I don’t think it is too far off
@Sean: I think he was 17.I remember the case but I googled her after the late late, and there was an article with this information in it. Karma working at it’s best
What a fantastic, brave hero of a lady
I remember reading her book
Such a brave lady.
Great woman! I remember the case well. Only 14 comments on the Journal in 6hrs? Obviously not edgy or Government bashing material…and no way to work in the Homeless or nurses or Leo, Neoliberals etc… a breath of fresh air!
A very brave woman ……shes never been publicly recognised for the part she played in opening io the taboo subject . Great to see how well shes doing .
I genuinely had never heard of this lady before now. As someone who has just begun the long process of getting justice against my abuser, I have an awful lot to thank Lavinia for.
Gardai and drcc will have the nerve to talk about statute of limitations in the wrong context, it’s a miracle any women ever get to court. Amnesty international should take a little look at Ireland, lots of rings here
A brave and dignified lady – well done to her!
Women who were raped during or before that time still have no voice and probably never will. Think about that. They are only in their 40′s and 50′s now. Marital rape was not a crime until 1993.
Sárbhean í a dhein stair
have your say