News & Latest Updates

Beyond Surviving founder Ciara Mangan spoke to Mayo News after the publication of independent research by Dr Sinéad Ring (Maynooth University), supported by Rape Crisis Ireland, on how section 3 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981 is used in Irish sexual offence trials. The report found that 39% of sexual offence trials in 2025 involved an application to admit sexual history evidence.

Ciara described the report as “a welcomed insight into what survivors are up against in their pursuit of justice and accountability, which should serve to inform reform” of this area of law. She explained: “We know from our own survey report at Beyond Surviving that the intrusion of one’s privacy in the courtroom, and the mere anticipation of such, is a deep concern for survivors. Survivors tell us they often feel powerless to protect their dignity in court, affecting their decisions to engage meaningfully in the criminal justice system.”

Ciara continued: “When applications are made on the first day of trial, survivors have no time to understand what’s being sought, prepare, or get support,” adding: “That is a major barrier to access to justice. We welcome this report and want to see reform that gives survivors clear, early information and genuine, fair opportunities to engage in a process that holds great power over their lives.”

Beyond Surviving Community Member Voices

One said: “I find using any of the victims’ sexual history in a court absolutely abhorrent and completely unacceptable.” Another drew a comparison with fraud cases: “It’s another strand of victim blaming in sexual assault cases that has no place in the justice system in 2026. If you change the word ‘rape’ to ‘fraud’ and think about someone who was defrauded giving evidence in court against the fraudster, asking someone where else they spent money, or their financial history, seems utterly outrageous, and irrelevant to them being defrauded. Of course it wasn’t their fault. Why is rape different?”

You can read the Mayo News interview here.

Beyond Surviving founder Ciara Mangan spoke to RTÉ’s Drivetime and Irish Independent after Michael O’Leary (CEO of Ryanair) described rival airlines as “high-fare rapists” at Ryanair’s annual general meeting.

Ciara explained on the show how survivors often cannot say the word “rape” or “rapist” for years: “That is how much meaning this word has,” adding that Mr O’Leary had demonstrated how meaningless the word was to him. She said his comments were deeply concerning and reflected on his character, and joined the call for him to publicly apologise, adding: “Without a shadow of a doubt, that offence was certainly felt by countless survivors and their families across Ireland today.”

You can read the RTÉ report here and Irish Independent interview here.

Photo source: https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0910/1591085-call-apology-oleary-ryanair/

Beyond Surviving speaks out on victim-blaming in Limerick rape trial

Beyond Surviving CEO Ciara Mangan spoke to the Irish Examiner after a survivor’s dress was produced as evidence during Limerick rape trial.

The survivor was 15 and convicted was 18 at the time of the assault, which took place at a party. During the trial, she was also questioned in court about her underwear that night. Cork Sexual Violence Centre’s outgoing CEO Mary Crilly and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre also spoke out, both noting that clothing has no bearing on consent and that this approach echoes tactics common decades ago.

Ciara described the practice as “a form of public humiliation” that does the opposite of encouraging survivors to come forward.

You can read the full piece through the link here.

Beyond Surviving founder Ciara speaks to the Irish Examiner on the legal aid dispute affecting rape trials

Ciara spoke to the Irish Examiner about the impact of the ongoing legal aid dispute on survivors, following reports that most rape trials scheduled at the Central Criminal Court this week could not proceed.

A flat-fee system introduced on 1st July has led around 55 solicitors to resign from the legal aid panel. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns reported that 10 of the 12 rape trials listed for the Central Criminal Court this week were unable to go ahead. Rape Crisis Ireland has called for the dispute to be resolved quickly, and the Law Society is holding an Oireachtas Day this week to address it.

Drawing on her own experience of the criminal justice system, Ciara spoke about the psychological and financial toll that trial delays and adjournments take on survivors and their families, including costs that often go unreimbursed. “I know too well the psychological stress that comes with delays,” she said. It’s a toll Beyond Surviving continues to hear echoed across our community.

You can read the full interview through the link here.

Beyond Surviving founder Ciara shortlisted for Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2026

Ciara has been shortlisted for Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Community Impact at the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026.

This recognition, Ciara says, “reflects work that began from a simple, yet profound question in 2023: where to next? At Beyond Surviving, we are building that next step: a space for connection, community, growth and continuity of support that has long been missing in the sector.“

“To be recognised in a category centred on community impact feels especially meaningful, because this has always been survivor-led, shaped by lived experience, and grounded in the belief that survivors deserve to not just survive, but to reclaim, live and thrive.“

Beyond Surviving publishes Survey Insights Report

To seek insights on how the current practices in Ireland’s criminal justice system affect people, we launched a comprehensive survey, open to all survivors, and in one week, we received over 300 responses.

The results reflect the clear and consistent consensus among survivors that there is an urgent need for change to ensure a fairer criminal justice system. However, the disclosure of counselling records is a complex and sensitive issue, and a “one size fits all” legislative solution risks deepening harm to survivors by overlooking nuances, and failing to reflect the diversity of their lived experience.

You can read the full report through the link here.

Beyond Surviving survey finds issue in counselling notes used in court

Ciara, CEO of Beyond Surviving, and Sarah, Board member and fellow survivor joined Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan to discuss our most recent comprehensive survey on the Use of Counselling Notes in Sexual Offence Trails.

Initial results highlight that many survivors of sexual assault did not remember consenting to the use of their counselling notes in court, the survey has found.

You can listen back to the interview through the link here.

Solicitor Sarah Grace has joined the board of Beyond Surviving

Ms Grace, a corporate lawyer and certified yoga teacher, has been appointed to the board as Legal Trustee.

She brings extensive legal expertise, combining her two passions of effective corporate governance and building a brighter future for all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Grace said: “I am so honoured to have joined the board of Beyond Surviving, a survivor-led charity whose mission is to offer healing and wellbeing support to those affected by domestic, gender and sexual-based violence.“

Beyond Surviving warmly welcomes Sarah to the Board and looks forward to the impact her expertise and passion will bring to the organisation and the wider DSGBV landscape. We echo the response to Sarah’s appointment and are privileged to have her join us on this important journey.

Former Chief Financial Officer Andrew Mussett has joined the board of Beyond Surviving

Mr Mussett, a former Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed to the Board as Financial Trustee.

He is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and brings extensive financial expertise, having worked predominantly for US multinationals prior to his retirement.

Beyond Surviving warmly welcomes Andrew to the Board and looks forward to the impact his expertise will bring to the organisation. We are privileged to have him join us on this important journey.

Beyond Surviving attends Victim Support Europe’s MORE THAN WORDS: Turning Commitment into Real Change for Victims event in Brussels

The day brought to mind a statement shared by founder Ciara during an Ireland AM interview in April 2025, reflecting on her experiences within Ireland’s criminal justice system: “There is no consideration for the victim.” Sadly, many of Friday’s speakers echoed how true this remains across Europe.

Too often, victims are expected to navigate systems that view them merely as witnesses, rather than individuals whose lives are profoundly affected by such legal procedures. Many are left without timely information, without recognition, and without the dignity of being seen as more than a case number. Justice is treated as a process of accountability and punishment alone, while for so many survivors, justice also means being respected, supported, heard and considered.

Beyond Surviving remains committed to amplifying survivor voices and championing a justice system that truly considers, respects and centres those at its core.

Beyond Surviving founder Ciara delivers her pitch at Voices of Change, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland event

Ciara spoke about the pivotal moment in her healing journey where she found herself beyond crisis support, after availing of essential support from frontline services such as Rape Crisis Centres. Their work saved Ciara, but she needed more, a next step.

Beyond Surviving exists because healing from domestic abuse and sexual violence is a lifelong process, and service provision must reflect that.

We bridge the gap between crisis intervention and long-term healing, extending and complementing existing services so that survivors can experience sustained, well-rounded support at every stage of their recovery.

Beyond Surviving shortlisted for ‘Start-up Social Enterprise’ award

Beyond Surviving has been shortlisted for the National Social Enterprise Awards 2025, in the category of ‘Start-up Social Enterprise’.

We are shortlisted alongside two other social enterprises doing strong work in their communities, AnamVR and Hugs Community.

The awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday, 15th October, in Tallaght, Dublin. This shortlisting reflects the work of our volunteers and survivor advocates over the past year.

Our founder Ciara joins INCO Entrepreneurs first cohort of #CatalyseHer, supported by Visa Foundation, empowering women entrepreneurs across Ireland.

Visa Foundation has partnered with INCO to launch CatalyseHer, a comprehensive training and micro-grant programme designed to support 100 women-led small businesses across Ireland.

The initiative will provide early-stage, revenue-generating companies focused on social and environmental impact with training, community building opportunities, and access to funding through micro-grants.

Ciara was recognised by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland as one of Ireland’s newest wave of changemakers for founding Beyond Surviving

“It’s lovely for this to be recognised on a broader scale now, and I feel like I’m not alone in it anymore. I’m excited that everyone else seems to really believe in where this can go,” she said, “It feels like people can see the vision and see where this organisation can go. I’ve always believed in this and I just stuck to my guns.”

“What I found was that you do reach a point on this journey where you outgrow services and you look for something beyond that. The services that are available in Ireland support you up to this point of survival. I was looking around and I said – What’s beyond this?” After Ms Mangan realised that survivors often have nowhere to turn once they move beyond this stage, she said, “So I set up my own organisation.”

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Impact Programme 2025

Beyond Surviving is ‘beyond’ thrilled to announce we have been selected as one of the five successful applicants to Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Impact Programme 2025. Beyond Surviving welcomes €20,000 in unrestricted funding with open arms, together with structured pro-bono expertise valued at an additional €20,000 to €30,000. We’re incredibly thrilled to avail of all the expertise, support, networks, and opportunities that this programme will offer over the next 9-months and beyond, helping us to scale our impact and drive lasting social change.

National SATU Study Day

Our founder, Ciara, was pleased to contribute at the National Sexual Assault Treatment Unit Study Day at the Rotunda Hospital, formally introducing Beyond Surviving to the sector and highlighting the gap in post-crisis recovery support for victim-survivors of DSGBV, as well as Beyond Surviving’s critical role in bridging this gap collaboratively with the sector as a whole.

Grateful Awardees

Thank you to all those who nominated Beyond Surviving for this year’s Aldi Ireland Community Grants Programme. We have been awarded €500. Great news!

Cork’s 96fm Opinion Line

PJ talks to Ciara Mangan of Beyond Surviving about her work together with victim-survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse to end counsellor notes being used against rape survivors in sexual offence trials.

Post-Crisis Matters Too

Our founder Ciara joined a panel of experts on Thursday 12th June at the launch of the National Women’s Council Ireland’s Strategic Plan 2025-2029. Ciara touched on the importance of survivor-led work and respecting survivors as experts in their own right. She spoke of the critical gap in post-crisis recovery infrastructure in Ireland and the urgent need for funding and investment in this area. “Healing is a life-long process and service provision must reflect and validate that.”

Beyond Surviving receives €1,000 donation from Castlebar Home Store + More Community Fund

Our founder Ciara headed over to the Castlebar branch at Home Store + More to pick up our donation after colleagues in store nominated Beyond Surviving as the top recipient for this term of their Community Fund initiative. We are extremely grateful. Huge thanks!!

Ciara takes to London

Our founder Ciara headed to Waterloo station as part of the global Let’s Talk About Rape campaign.

Let’s Talk About Rape® is a movement that challenges the silence and stigma surrounding sexual violence. Through photography and creative expression, the project empowers survivors to reclaim their narratives, confront trauma, and redefine themselves as survivors, not victims.

Beyond Surviving took part in our very first West of Ireland’s Women’s Mini Marathon

Thanks to everyone who supported us this year! Your generosity helped raise significant awareness of our charity and support services, along with €3,446 in donations.

Mayo man raises tens of thousands for abuse charity with skydive plan

Mayo man and sexual assault survivor Dylan Gallagher took to the sky today in an effort to raise funds for Beyond Surviving, a charity which Mr Gallagher says is close to his heart.

Solidarity with survivors – Ciara Mangan launches charity for abuse survivor

Rape survivor Ciara Mangan has set up a survivor-led charity, supporting survivors of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence and abuse through their healing journey.

Ciara Mangan, a survivor of sexual violence, has founded Beyond Surviving, Ireland’s first survivor-led charity to provide much needed support and connection for those healing from domestic and sexual abuse.

National Women’s Council Ireland reports: “An inspiring and vital step in addressing the isolation survivors face, reflecting resilience and the power of community in healing.“

‘It’s about reclaiming our lives’: Survivor launches charity to support rape victims

Ciara Mangan: ‘Something was missing, so I created Beyond Surviving and that’s the bridge that is not there. This is the first hub of its kind in Ireland.’