04/09/2014

Calls To Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Increase

12,192 contacts were answered by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helplinein 2013, its highest figure since 2009, according to the latest annual report.

9,614 of the calls were genuine counselling contacts, an increase of 5% compared with 2012 figures. 43% of calls related to adult rape, an increase of 3% compared with 2012 figures.

Dr. Frances Gardiner, Chairperson of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), said: "The Annual Report of the DRCC once again demonstrates how the organisation continued to fulfil its mandate of responding to the needs of victims of sexual violence, despite the challenge of further shrinking resources in 2013. Analysis of the figures confirms how unrelenting the sinister world of sexual crime is, traumatising men and women in its wake."

The report also recorded an increase in sexual violence. There was an increase of 672 calls from men and women in 2013 relating to adult sexual assault. This was an increase of 21%, compared with 2012.

Angela McCarthy, Head of Clinical Services at DRCC said: "This has been a tough year in terms of delivering crisis counselling and long-term therapy, because of a reduction of 18% in therapists staffing levels in the first quarter of 2013. However, all staff were committed to the implemented re-structuring process, in order to minimise the impact on clients. I want to pay tribute to all our staff and in particular to the commitment and dedication of all the clinical staff involved in implementing various efficiencies to ensure that the counselling services were prioritised."

(IT/CD)

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