Rise in numbers seeking help for abuse

Nearly 1,700 people sought counselling at centres run by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI), last year.

The Rape Crisis Network National Statistics 2007 published today indicates almost a quarter of people reporting to a rape crisis centre last year were abused by more than one abuser.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is the umbrella body for Rape Crisis Centres in Ireland.

Overall, 1,691 individuals looked for assistance at the network's 14 centres in 2007. This compares to 1,626 people in the preceding year.

Over half of those seeking counselling last year reported instances of abuse in childhood, while 40 per cent sought assistance for assault which occurred in adulthood.

For 60 per cent of those abused in childhood the abuse lasted for one year or longer, with 6.6 per cent of childhood abuse occurring to on girls under the age of four.

The latest figures indicate that girls are almost twice as likely to be abused by a family member than boys. According to organisation, boys are more likely to be abused by an authority figure such as a teacher, youth leader, sports coach or priest, than girls.

Overall, the statistics show that girls are twice as likely as boys to be abused both as children and as adults.

Males are much more likely to be abused during childhood, but the risk for boys deceases as they grow up. In contrast, the organisation said the risk of sexual violence for women decreased by just 10 per cent in adulthood.

For adult women reporting abuse the abuser is a partner or ex-partner in 23 per cent of cases. Just 14 per cent of cases of adult abuse were carried out by a stranger, the figures reveal. But those abused by strangers are the most likely to report instances of abuse to the authorities.

Overall, 96 per cent of cases of abuse involved male abusers and in 86 per cent of child sexual abuse cases, the abuser is likely to be well known to either a family member or someone well known to the family.

"The least likely of all sexual abuse to be reported to the gardaí is abuse of a child by a family member, which is one of the most common forms of sexual abuse reported to rape crisis centres,” said RCNI executive director Fiona Neary.

“It is clear that the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim is extremely significant in the victim’s decision of whether or not to report. We must ask ourselves how we can change this,” she added.

Last year, 7 per cent of clients at rape crisis centres were under 17 years of age.