Over 18,600 contacts were recorded by the National Rape Crisis Helpline last year, which is the highest level ever in Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s 45-year history.

The report shows the largest groups in contact with the freephone national helpline were women, first-time callers and those aged between 18 and 29 years of age. 89% of clients were women, 10% were men and 1% identified as other.

The largest proportion of people contacting the helpline wanted to discuss rape that had occurred as an adult (4 in 10), followed by childhood sexual abuse (1 in 3), and sexual assault as an adult (1 in 6).

Many callers to the freephone 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline voiced their mental health concerns, with over 500 calls relating to suicide ideation.

All calls were recorded throughout the year with the largest spikes occurring in April, August and towards the end of the year.

Helpline support workers also noted more callers expressing worry about homelessness and other concerns that compounded the trauma caused by sexual violence.

Over 7 in 10 DRCC therapy clients had experienced sexual violence as an adult, while 3 in 10 had been abused as children.

Almost half of therapy clients were receiving counselling because they had been raped. This was followed by 1 in 6 who had been sexually assaulted and the remainder of clients had suffered a range of sexual violence, including online abuse and sexual harassment.

DRCC also provided accompanying support work, supporting 286 people through the justice system, including 186 people who were accompanied to report sexual crimes and 100 more who were given support in trials, hearings and other court processes.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the report, Minister Helen McEntee said: “While any report detailing an increase in calls to organisations such as DRCC is concerning, one of the key objectives in our Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence is to encourage victims to come forward and to report the crimes that are being committed against them.

“We are making significant progress in that. Nonetheless, many of the figures and statistics from last year are shocking, many of the insights harrowing.”

“Every number represents a person, a life affected by violence, and it provides startling clarity on why and how the work of DRCC is crucial,” She added.

DRCC’s Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh said the report serves as evidence that the services provided by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are “vital supports for people who have experienced sexual violence” and that these are needed by the community of survivors now more than ever.

“The report also points to some worrying trends that indicate considerable mental health needs amongst people affected by sexual violence,” She said.

“While mental health has always been a feature of the calls we handle, our Helpline Counsellors have reported a steady increase in the number of people who are expressing suicidal ideation to them during 2023. Issues that affect the wider population such as homelessness, family breakdowns and conflict, are compounding the mental health needs of our clients.”

If you or anyone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can contact the 24-hour National Helpline for free, non-judgmental and confidential support at 1800 778888 and find information on options for survivors here