Publicity of high-profile cases ‘triggers people to ask for help’
REPORTS on cases of sexual violence spark an increased number contacts to victim advocacy organisations, according to leaders in the field.
In recent weeks, there has been a number of high-profile cases involving allegations of rape, sexual violence and paedophilia.
Victim advocacy groups One in Four and the Rape Crisis Centre told the Irish Independent publicity surrounding such cases lead to increased calls to their services. This week details emerged of an alleged paedophile ring operating out of the Mid-west. Some 14 victims were identified and 11 people arrested in connection with the case. Connect, a counselling service funded by the HSE, has offered to provide free telephone-based counselling to anyone distressed by the reports of the allegations.
Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said one of the things that happens in the wake of such cases is an increase in contacts at the centre.
“It is absolutely one of the things that happens. In some cases what happens is victims get triggered by the reports.
“It impacts on them and it can remind them of what they have gone through,” she said.
“We also get calls from people who are very troubled that things like this can happen.”
Maeve Lewis, executive director of One In Four, which helps people affected by childhood sexual abuse, also said high-profile cases cause a spike in calls.
“People really get triggered by these cases and it does,
absolutely lead to an increase in contacts.
“There is a positive in that it can spur people on to seek help for their own experiences.
“What I know is it can be very difficult, but people need to know that there is help available,” she said.
Connect can be contacted on
1800 477 477, One in Four on 01
662 4070 and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 77 8888.
For those in serious distress, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.