EXCLUSIVE: We reveal the extent of rape crimes in NI
There were more than two rape crimes per day in Northern Ireland in 2016.
Last updated 9th Feb 2017
Last year also marked a 19-year spike in the number of instances.
The figures come from the PSNI’s yearly recorded crime statistics.
Hannah, a student who has suffered rape, said that it took a talk with her friend for her to realise the full extent of what had happened to her.
“It took me a while to realise what had happened to me,” she said.
“It took me talking to a friend and he said that, that is rape."
She said that she blamed herself, such was her state of confusion in the aftermath of the trauma inflicted on her.
However, as she began to process what had happened, there was one overriding emotion she found it hard to escape from.
“It’s very easy to get overtaken with anger, I spent months being really angry.
“I just had to take the decision not to feel angry and to just let it go.
“It was a really hard thing to do but I didn’t want who I was as a person to change, just because of someone doing something really horrible to me.”
Hannah sought help from NI sexual abuse victims’ charity Nexus, With Chief Executive Officer Cara Cash acknowledging that she understood the student’s initial confusion.
“They’ll think it was because ‘I was dressed a certain way’”, she said.
“They’ll think ‘it was because I was drunk’ and none of these things are the case.
“A sexual crime is a sexual crime and a victim is a victim.
“In reality of course, those feelings of guilt should be sitting with the perpetrator.”
Hannah has said that coming forward and talking about her traumatic experience, even publicly, has helped her to deal with it.
However, there are still areas where she finds it difficult to deal with.
“I do trust people really quickly,” she said.
“I think I am still able to trust my friends.
“But there is a barrier whenever it comes to romantic relationships and letting people know who I really am.
“I struggle with that.”
Despite her ordeal though, Hannah is quick to emphasise that she sees herself not as a ‘survivor’, but rather a ‘thriver’.
And she had this advice for people who found themselves suffering after the same sexual attack as herself.
“Trust in who you are as a person and know that this was not your fault,” she said.
“Ask for help.
“It’s a really hard thing to do especially whenever you feel ashamed about these things.
“Sometimes talking to people you know can be too difficult, so try and find some counselling, they’re the most informed and educated people you can talk to about the topic.”