Increase in calls to rape crisis line
CALLS to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre rose by 500 last year, latest figures show.
A total of 12,855 calls were fielded by its 24-hour service – around 48% of which related to complaints of adult rape. The rise in calls equated to 4%.
Last year, staff and volunteers accompanied 251 people to the sexual assault treatment unit at Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital.
Assisted by additional funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the centre also provided face-to-face therapy for 550 clients, an increase of 10% on 2016.
It also provided support on 53 days to people who were making a criminal complaint either at a Garda station or in court.
The centre delivered 3,883 appointments in 2017, mostly in Dublin city centre but also through outreach services in Coolock, the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy Prison and in Tallaght Hospital.
The totals were outlined in the centre’s annual report for 2017, which is published today.
Angela McCarthy, the DRCC’s head of clinical services, said: ‘We are continuing to see an increase in the number of callers and clients who have experienced recent rape and sexual assault. Nearly 48% of helpline contacts related to adult rape, compared to 41% of 2016 contacts. Of new clients seen in 2017, 49% had experienced recent rape or sexual assault.’
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is to attend the launch of the report. He said: ‘This [report] helps to inform the work of An Garda Síochána and other agencies.’
DRCC chief executive Noeline Blackwell said: ‘While we support and provide services to people of all genders, it is noteworthy that sexual violence is predominantly perpetrated against women and girls.
‘There needs to be a particular emphasis on eliminating or at least reducing the level of sexual violence against them.’
She commended the ‘good work’ done by gardaí who are fully trained in the investigation of sexual offences. However, she said there was a lack of specialist units or investigators to deal with cases.
The national 24-hour helpline number is 1800 77 88 88.