National Statistics 2010 Launch

Report of Rape Continues to Rise in 2010

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) National Statistics Report shows that there was an increase of almost 10% in the number of people taking up counselling and support for rape and sexual violence in 2010 and an increase of 23% in helpline contacts from 2009.

The continued climb in demand is putting an already creaking system of support under critical pressure, the network of 14 Rape Crisis Centres warned today. Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said that services could not be stretched any further and that cutbacks would end up costing the state more in the longterm.

In total, 1,730 people took up counselling and support – over 9% increase on previous years. Over 15,289 helpline, text and email contacts were made to services around the country. This volume of demand required nearly 16,000 hours of counselling and support, over 1,265 hours of helpline support, and over 1,300 hours of accompaniment to specialist assault treatment units (SATU) or the Gardai. Nearly one in three reported the sexual violence to the Gardaí, which is the highest rate of reporting in the history of RCNI data collection.

“We are learning more and more about the scale, extent and complexity of sexual violence in Ireland, which means that we are better equipped at stopping perpetrators and protecting children and adults,” Neary said.

“At the same time, our members are faced with an increasing demand for services against a background of cutbacks intended to save money over people’s needs,” she continued. “It is certain that these cutbacks will result in greater expenditure in the future, particularly by the health care system. Research tells us that when victims of sexual violence do not get expert support they have no alternative but to turn to primary care services – which automatically impacts on health sector resources.”

The 2010 statistics also reveal information about children and sexual violence which the RCNI said it is currently analysing in more detail.

Twenty percent of survivors of one incident of child sexual violence said that the perpetrator was under 18 – in other words, children themselves. In addition, 49% of perpetrators of one incident of child sexual violence was a family member and just 3% were strangers. Fifteen percent of male survivors said that they were subjected to one incident of sexual violence in school.

The report was launched by Jan O’Sullivan TD,Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade with responsibility for Trade & Development.

For more information contact: Clíona Saidlear, Tel: 087-2196447

Rape and sexual violence in Ireland 2010

· 1,730 people took up counselling and support – a 9% increase since 2009.

· 15,289 helpline contacts were made – a 23% increase since 2009.

· 15,958 hours of counselling and support were provided.

· 1,309 hours of accompaniment were provided – a 65% increase in RCC time since 2009.

· 41% more counselling was given to survivors subjected to multiple incidents of sexual violence than other survivors.

· 80% of survivors were subjected to a single incident of sexual violence.

· 90% of single incident survivors knew their perpetrator.

· 20% of survivors of one incident of child sexual violence said that the perpetrator was under 18.

· 29% of survivors were subjected to a single incident of sexual violence by more than one perpetrator – some by groups acting together and others by more than one perpetrator acting alone.

· 28% of perpetrators in a single incident of adult sexual violence were partners or ex-partners.