There is a gap between men and women's understanding and expectations of sexual consent, according to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
National research on public attitudes to sexual consent found that 46% of men agree that people "often make up accusations about non-consensual sex", compared to 27% of women.
25% of men agree with the statement "I am not sure that sex without consent is as widespread a problem as it is made out to be", compared to 14% of women.
Research was undertaken via an online survey with a nationally representative sample of 923 adults in Ireland.
The findings also found that 55% of dating adults were "fearful that a partner might say that the sexual encounter that occurred when they were drinking was not consensual, despite going along with it at the time."
Thirty-nine per cent of dating adults "often feel vulnerable" due to fear of misreading an intimate situation.
DRCC Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh has said the new research has revealed some positive indications that people are aware of the need for consent when they are engaging in sexual activity.
However, she noted that their understanding of what consent is and how to put it into practice causes some fear and uncertainty, particularly amongst those whose relationship status is 'dating’.
"The findings also illustrate that there is a gulf between men and women’s understanding and expectations around sexual consent. This is a gap that we must close if we want to reduce the prevalence of sexual violence in this country," she said.
One in 10 people surveyed agreed that "even when the other person originally says 'no', it can be ok to keep going and they might 'get in the mood'".
While most of the adults surveyed (92%) agreed that "Even if you have given consent, you can change your mind at any time". A significant minority of younger men (29%) aged 18-24 believe that "Once you have consented, you can’t really change your mind".
One in 10 said "sex happens when one of us wants it, even if the other person is not in the mood", a view more commonly held by men under 35 (three in 10).
Ms Morrogh described as 'particularly worrying', that a significant number of people ‘often’ make up false accusations about rape.
She said rape myths discouraged victims from coming forward and enabled perpetrators to live free from consequences.
"It is demoralising and dispiriting for anyone who has experienced sexual violence to see that almost half of men and close to 3 in 10 women think that accusations of rape are often made up," she added.
DRCC We-Consent Manager, Sarah Monaghan said it was imperative to equip people with language and communication skills to "check in with each other regularly throughout any sexual encounter", to ensure that all parties feel safe, respected and able to stop or change their mind at any time.
