Rape Crisis Network Reports 22% Increase In Contacts To Its Helpline.

Thursday, 7 October 2021 09:26

60% of survivors disclosed that they had been subjected to additional forms of violence occurring at the same time as the sexual violence.

The Rape Crisis Network says there was a 22 per cent increase in contacts to its helplines last year.

More than 13,000 were made, according to its national statistics report.

Bernadette Jameson reports:

"The most significant increase in contacts to the Rape crisis network Helplines was in March 2020 when they peaked to 68% the volume of contacts received in March of the previous year.

A large increase in contacts continued into April.

Throughout the rest of the year the rape crisis centres also saw significant increases every month when compared to 2019, except in October which saw a decrease.

In December 2020 contacts increased by over a third, when compared with December 2019.

60% of survivors disclosed that they had been subjected to additional forms of violence occurring at the same time as the sexual violence.

This included physical violence, such as imprisonment, attempts to kill, and neglect), and emotional or psychological violence, such as harassment, intimidation, stalking, and death threats.

Survivors who were subjected to sexual violence when aged between 13 to 17 disclosed that the most common location where the abuse took place was in ‘other locations’ (33%), followed closely by the perpetrator’s home (26%), and outside or in a car (24%).

The most common ‘other locations’ for this age group was a friend’s house.

A small number also disclosed that the violence took place in their workplace, at school, or in a pub/nightclub.

A significant number of survivors who were abused when aged 13 to 17 disclosed that that sexual violence happened in their own homes (17%)."

We need to invest in the infrastructure of funding so that regional rape crisis centres can continue to deliver their vital services. Join us for our #AnnualStatisticReport2020 launch today at 11am https://t.co/Cr2CXfr2Qz @morningireland pic.twitter.com/TyNhjP0LDv
— Rape Crisis Ireland (@RapeCrisisIre) October 7, 2021

Executive Director Dr Cliona Sadlier says greater funding is needed to sustain the service and they're still working from a recession-era budget

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.