There was a 22% decrease in the numbers who presented at a sexual assault treatment unit last year compared to 2019.
A quarter of victims were under the age of 18 according to the HSE's annual report.
The decrease is the numbers who presented to sexual assault units last year is being chalked up to the pandemic.
Lockdown saw the virtual elimination of nightclubs and bars.
However the National clinical lead with the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit is Dr Maeve Eogan.
She says the 22% decline dispels a big myth about sexual violence.
"That myth has disappeared now."
"It's not all just related to pubs and clubs."
"People make flippant comments about others making unsafe decisions in unsafe scenarios."
"But it's a pervasive issue that we need to respond to appropriately."
"We also need to have open conversations about what we all do in society."
73% of 734 victims knew their attacker.
Lockdown Didn't Really Affect Numbers
Dr Eogan says the lockdown didn't have a major impact on the number of assaults:
"I think the most surprising thing is, yes the numbers fell during the restrictions."
"But still they only fell by about a fifth."
"There were still people coming into the sexual assault unit, and I'm proud that we were still able to offer that service."
"We saw over 90% of people within 3 hours of them requesting."
The report found that in 9% of cases, there was multiple attackers.
#drccwebinar You can now download the full report from our website: The Realities of Rape Trials in Ireland | Dublin Rape Crisis Centre https://t.co/C6wuRPF1bL
— Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (@DublinRCC) June 21, 2021
"They'll Go Into Total Denial"
Mary Crilly is Director of the Cork Rape Crisis Centre.
"What you'll find about these guys who are raping their friends, they won't call it rape."
"They'll say they had an offer and she can't remember it."
"So they will not call it rape, they'll go into total denial."
24 per cent of victims were under 18, including 12 victims who were under 14.
