12-1/2 % increase in calls to Rape Crisis Centre

There has been a 12-1/2 per cent increase in the number of crisis calls to the Rape Crisis Centre in Dublin. The centre's annual statistics, published yesterday, show its 24-hour crisis counselling line received 8,150 calls last year, compared to 7,243 the year before. Some 3,508 of these were first-time callers, 82 per cent of whom were females.

The incidence of sexual violence was "almost impossible to estimate", said Ms Geraldine Connolly, head of clinical services at the centre. Although there was no way of knowing if the increase was due to a real rise in the number needing help or a rise in the number looking for help, it was likely that there was an increase in rape. The number of people reporting recent rapes - as opposed to abuse which had taken place some time previously - showed an increase of 4 per cent.

Fifty-one per cent of calls were in relation to child sexual abuse, 38 per cent related to adult rape, 6 per cent were about sexual assault, 4 per cent about both sexual abuse and adult rape and 1 per cent were in relation to sexual harassment.

There were 704 people attending the centre's individual counselling and therapy services, 28 per cent of whom went to the Garda. The figures underlined how "important it is that victims of sexual assault have his or her own legal representation from the moment they make a complaint", according to Ms Breda Allen, chairwoman of the centre. If this were the case, she was "certain more people would report sexual assaults to the gardai".

When a case of sex abuse or assault is reported, the complainant becomes a witness for the State in subsequent legal proceedings. "Victims feel it is being taken out of their control and the State is pursuing the case for the common good rather than on their behalf."

The Rape Crisis Centre is seeking volunteers to work on its phone lines. Its crisis free fone number is 1800 77 88 88.