Dr Eithne Dowds and Dr Susan Leahy

The All-Ireland Network on Sexual Violence Research (AINSVR) is a collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Limerick, led by Dr Eithne Dowds and Dr Susan Leahy.

The interdisciplinary network aims to bring together academics and postgraduate research students, practitioners and policymakers from across the island of Ireland who work in the area of sexual violence.

A launch event hosted by QUB School of Law last week provided members with the opportunity to get to know one another, share their current research and discuss ideas for future activities and events.

The event included a speech from Jodie Kelly, part of the team overseeing the implementation of the Gillen review in Northern Ireland, who reflected on the content of the 2019 report and gave members a progress update on its recommendations.

The AINSVR’s objectives are to:

• facilitate and support academics, students, policy makers and external agencies in researching and responding to sexual violence across the island of Ireland;
• provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange in the following thematic areas:
  • prevalance of sexual violence;
  • education and awareness;
  • support services;
  • criminal justice responses;
  • alternative responses;
  • law reform; and
• provide opportunities for members to meet regularly in-person and/or online and engage with external stakeholders from across the island of Ireland.

More information, including how to become a member, is available from the AINSVR website.