The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has recorded a 75 per cent increase in calls received regarding sex abuse since the publication of the Ferns report last month, it has emerged.
Chief executive Irene Bergin said the sharp rise was not a surprise given the publication of its own research three years ago which found that most sexual abuse of people occurred during the pre-pubescent period.
"This report [the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland report] showed for the first time the extraordinary levels of hurt from childhood sexual abuse experienced by men and women in Ireland. The Ferns report has reiterated that hurt and the glaring need for education and public awareness concerning the issues of sexual abuse and violence," Ms Bergin said.
The centre's report in 2002 called for a public awareness campaign on the level of sexual violence in society. It also urged that existing services be made more widely available and that barriers which inhibit people from disclosing abuse should be removed.