THERE WAS a 62 per cent increase in the number of rape victims accompanied by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to the sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin during the first quarter of this year.
The figures, released yesterday, indicate 76 people were accompanied by Rape Crisis Centre volunteers to the sexual assault treatment unit during January, February and March 2009 compared with 47 in the first three months of 2008. The 76 victims were mainly women but there were some men also.
Once a rape or sexual assault is reported to the Garda Síochána, a garda will take the victim to the hospital’s sexual assault treatment unit which is linked in to the services of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
It in turn will dispatch a volunteer to be at the victim’s side to support them through the process.
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said it was impossible to explain the increase in cases in the first three months of this year without an in-depth study.
She said she hoped much of it was as a result of TV advertising in January of the 24-hour helpline for victims of rape and sexual abuse, which also encouraged people to report these crimes.
She said a previous study – the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland 2002 – found that only one in 10 reported the crime but now more people may be coming forward. However she acknowledged many still did not report sexual abuse.
The reasons for this include the fact that in eight out of 10 cases the perpetrator is known to the victim; the trauma involved; fearing they will not be believed, and the fact that it can take more than two years for a case to go to court.
She said if the prosecution of cases was speeded up, more people might come forward and report these heinous crimes.
In addition, she said, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wanted to see the introduction of separate legal representation for rape victims giving evidence in rape trials. She said if a garda was appointed to liaise with each victim, more cases might end up in court.
A second report on sexual abuse and violence is due to be carried out in 2011 to gauge any change in trends in reporting rape and other such crimes.
Ms O’Malley-Dunlop meanwhile said the level of violence which accompanied reported rape and sexual assault cases had also risen over the past few years and there could be more than one perpetrator.
“There is an increase in violence in our society and that is worrying.”
She stressed the importance of prevention programmes, advising people not to walk home alone at night, urging friends to look out for each other on nights out and asking a friend to mind their drink while away from it.
There also needs to be age appropriate education programmes around prevention in schools right through from primary to third level, she said.
Victims of rape or sexual abuse are encouraged to avail of the confidential professional support that is at the end of the 24-hour national helpline on 1 800 77 8888.