Over 3,000 randomly selected Irish adults took part in the study (n = 3,118). This represented a 71 per cent participation rate of those invited. For a telephone survey, and on such a sensitive topic, this very high participation rate means that the findings can be taken as broadly representative of the general population in Ireland.

In order to ensure that the sample would be representative of the general population in Ireland, quota estimates by gender and age (young, middle, older age) were drawn up. This allowed a guide to the numbers of men and women in each age group that would need to be targeted in order to match national census data.

Forms of violence covered: Rape and sexual violence/abuse

Data disaggregated by sex, age, work status, education, social classification.

The survey was not repeated on regular basis. It had been planned that this survey be repeated in 2012. This, however, is dependent on the availability of finance. The national statistics office was not involved in the survey/data collection effort.