FIFTY VICTIMS OF rape and sexual assault were brought to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital over the Christmas period by Rape Crisis Centre volunteers last year.
That is in addition to the 2,113 calls that the national 24-hour helpline for rape and sexual abuse.
The CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop says that the figure is rising, something that must be arrested.
“We must do everything in our power to try and stem the rise in the numbers of these heinous crimes being committed in our society with impunity.
Unreported because victims more often than not feel too ashamed, particularly if they were under the influence of alcohol and they will expect not to be believed. However the perpetrators who may also have been under the influence of alcohol will not feel any shame even though they behaved recklessly and did not get consent to sexual intercourse.
To tackle the rise in rape and sexual assault, the RCC are targeting men. They telling men “Don’t Be That Guy” – to ensure that their partner is consenting, to not take advantage of women who are too drunk and not to use alcohol to rape someone.
Stay safe
The Rape Crisis Centre are advising people to stay safe this Christmas by staying with friends, keeping their drink in their hand, not accepting drinks from strangers and sharing taxis.
Says O’Malley Dunlop “We would hope that in doing so that people will be able to have a happy and safe Christmas and be able to let their hair down but not their guard.”
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