The number of survivors contacting rape crisis centres for counselling was 98 per cent higher between March and the end of June than in the same period last year, the figures confirm. The number of calls to RCNI helplines increased by 23 per cent in the same period to more than 4,000.

The figures are taken from six rape crisis centres across the State and feature in an RCNI report published on Monday.

The report says the amount of time survivors spent on calls to the RCNI’s helplines increased by 83 per cent in the four-month period. The number of counselling appointments provided by rape crisis centres rose by 30 per cent, with 4,734 sessions provided over the phone or via video call.

The largest increase in numbers contacting RCNI helplines came as the country introduced coronavirus restrictions on non-essential movement in March, with a 63 per cent rise in calls when compared with the same period last year.

Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/covid-19-reports-of-rape-and-child-sex-abuse-rise-sharply-during-pandemic-1.4308307?fbclid=IwAR3Mfi29ag44tlG-Y98Bt3vCZlG990nJQbEbS6DbPZ78rHWlFSEkDMe-eys