Sexual assault treatment units are seeing more victims who've been assaulted by a current or former partner or family member.
It comes as a report from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre shows a drop in calls to its helpline last year during the pandemic.
As people return to offices and colleges and schools start back, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is highlighting the importance of consent.
The organisation's annual report for 2020 shows over 13,400 people contacted its helpline.
So that's down around 5% on the previous year.
Lockdowns Had A Major Affect
National helpline manager, Michelle Grehan, says the Covid lockdowns have had an impact:
"Those living alone for instance were left with that isolation."
"...and those with families were locked in together basically, counldn't find privacy to make contact with us."
"So there was huge levels of anxiety and distress across the board."
#drccAR2020 Now Minister @josephamadigan launching our 2020 Annual Report talking about the services of the DRCC & the support survivors of sexual violence need. pic.twitter.com/k7Kr2q61YX
— Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (@DublinRCC) September 7, 2021
75% Of Victims Say Their Offender Was Known To Them
Three quarters of rape or sexual victims told the charity the offender was either a parent, sibling, family member or other known person.
And Dr Maeve Eogan, national clinical lead for sexual assault treatment unit services, says that was reflected at units last year:
"...and we had a drop in allegations about assailants who were recorded either as a stranger or a recent acquaintance."
Great presentations today at launch of @DublinRCC #drccAR2020 as @Noeline_B refers to immense work carried out during Covid - reminders given about National 24-Hour Helpline 1800 77 8888 @sbcurly @RCNIreland pic.twitter.com/JrSnuMEFMy
— Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) September 7, 2021
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre helped 96 victims report their case to Gardai in 2020.
You can contact the free 24-hour national helpline on 1800 77 8888.
