Historic high of 22,700 calls to DRCC helpline
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) says that the level of sexual violence reported to it last year was the highest in its 46-year history.
The organisation’s chief executive Rachel Morrogh that engagement with its National Rape Crisis Helpline rose by more than 20% to 22,700, breaking the 20,000 mark for the first time.
“There are likely a number of drivers behind the increased demand for our 24-hour listening service – including that survivors feel increasingly confident about where to find non-judgmental support, but also the reality that sexual violence is still an insidious and common occurrence in modern Ireland,” she stated.
Therapy service
The report shows that the sharpest increase in activity across all the DRCC’s frontline supports was reported by its therapy service.
Counsellors held almost 6,000 counselling sessions with survivors – an increase of 57% compared with 2023. The number of therapy clients increased by 28%.
“While many people choose not to make a report to An Garda Síochána about what happened to them, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre therapy clients do so at much higher rates than the national average,” said Morrogh.
The reporting rate for clients was 27% – well above figures from the Central Statistics Office on rates for people who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
“We are honoured to support our clients through the justice system, which can be a very difficult process for many,” Morrogh stated.
“Every time there is a conviction and sentence for a sexual offence, we know it is felt as a victory for those who will never have their day in court or have the validation and catharsis of a guilty verdict,” she added.
‘Concerning’ figures
Speaking ahead of the launch of the report, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described many of the statistics in the report as “hugely concerning”.
He added, however, that he was encouraged that a significant percentage of those who sought support from DRCC also reported to An Garda Síochána.
The chair of the DRCC board, Anne Marie James, said that the organisation would continue its advocacy work to ensure a more victim-centred justice system, adding that funding and resourcing for this was “critical”.
She also called for “much stronger and braver” legislation to better protect people from what she called the “violence, cruelty, and harm” of online content that was informing acts of sexual violence.