“I, too, got into the taxi. I, too, expected safety. I, too, was raped” – Support for victims grows as people share their stories on social media

She said it was crucial that victims – especially those who may have been drunk or taking drugs – “never blame themselves”.

This came after a person who claimed to have been raped by a taxi driver shared her experience on the Instagram page “We-Consent”.

We-Consent is a national initiative of Dublin Rape Crisis, supported by the Department of Justice, the Department of Children and Community Foundation Ireland.

The person who posted about their experiences following Raymond Shorten’s conviction for the rape of two young female passengers two years ago said they were doing so in solidarity with the two victims and in an effort to put an end to sexual assault and rape.

Shorten (50), of Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of two counts of rape and one count of anal rape.

The person told their followers: “I wrote this poem after hearing about the guilty verdict in a recent court case involving a taxi driver and two different victims. It may help others get justice.”

The poem “Me-Too Taxi Driver” states: “I, too, have been where you two have been. I, too, went out with friends. I, too, had one drink too many. I, too, got into a taxi. I, too, expected safety. I, too, was raped.”

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomes conviction of rapist taxi driver

“I was followed through my front door by a taxi driver who wanted more than the fare I paid him.

“I reported the attack. I also gave my statement. Then our stories diverged. My case came to nothing. My trauma went inward.

“My anger went septic. My shame imploded. My mother doesn’t know.

“My taxi driver will never hear the verdict of a jury and will probably never feel guilt. But he raped me and in my mind the jury is unanimous: he is guilty, guilty, guilty.”

Ms. Morrogh praised the person for sharing her experiences.

“Hopefully this verdict has sent the message that it was never your fault,” Ms Morrogh said.

“The blame never lies with the victims. The blame lies solely with those perpetrators (shorters) who look for weak points in order to commit sexual crimes.

“If you are unconscious or unable to consent, if you are drunk, on drugs or asleep, you cannot consent to this act and that is what the law says. It is a crime to have sex with someone without their consent.

“If people understood and practiced what consent means, fewer people would experience sexual violence. And that is our goal.”

Commenting on the relatively low number of rape and sexual assault allegations following taxi rides, Ms Morrogh said: “We don’t want to discourage people from taking a taxi.”

She said the issue was of concern to parents of young women and mothers and fathers had always believed taxis were “safe places”.

“That this taxi driver (Shorten) took advantage of that trust and committed a very serious crime that will have a profound impact on the young women for the rest of their lives … it broke the trust,” Ms Morrogh said.

“The women are so brave to come forward. They were 19 or 20 when the rapes took place in 2022.

“We had just come out of the Covid pandemic and were encouraged to go out and meet each other. They would have spent the end of their teenage years in the Covid pandemic.

“Then this happened to them when they were out partying and having fun with their friends.

“Some people ask how we ensure the safety of public transport when we are on the move.

“I would turn it around and say the responsibility really lies with the perpetrator,” Ms Morrogh added.

“We can do something to protect ourselves, but we have to work to create a society where women are not victims of sexual assault, and that is exactly what this man was.”