Rape Crisis Centre launches anonymous online platform for survivors

In June 2023, Faye Curran of Newstalk reported on the launch of We-Speak, which the station described as the first anonymous online platform in Ireland for survivors of sexual violence. The platform was launched by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and its chief executive, Noeline Blackwell, discussed it on Breakfast Briefing. We-Speak is built on Our Wave's story-sharing platform.

A Gentler Way to Tell Your Story

Blackwell explained that survivors' accounts in Ireland were most often heard after court proceedings, which she called a deeply traumatic setting. We-Speak offers another path, letting survivors share their experiences in their own words and at their own pace. The site guides people through a series of steps, with small moments to pause and breathe before they write. Survivors can also leave advice or words of encouragement for one another.

Anonymity, Review, and Room to Grow

Every story is reviewed before it appears, so the team can confirm it is fully anonymous. Blackwell noted that survivors can return later to update their stories as their healing journeys change over time. She added that people have shared their experiences in many forms, including poems and artwork.

Building a Better National Conversation

Survivors may choose to answer extra questions, which Dublin Rape Crisis Centre hopes will reveal trends in sexual violence across Ireland. Blackwell stressed that this is not a way to report to the Gardaí, since everything stays anonymous. She hopes the platform will help people understand the full range of harm, from assault to workplace harassment. Above all, she sees We-Speak as a way to help Ireland talk about sexual violence more openly. She told Newstalk that the centre believes it has "found a good way to allow people to talk about it."

Read the full story in Newstalk.