There has been significant increase in the demand for therapy for child victims of sexual abuse in the mid-west and south-west regions. The CARI Foundation has reported a 34 per cent increase from its Limerick base centre in 1997 over the previous year, which is broadly in line with the national figure.
A spokesperson said up to 46 per cent of therapy sessions were with children and 40 per cent of those were under seven years of age.
CARI has centres in Dublin and Limerick, with a part-time centre in Tralee. Last year, the centres provided 1,867 hours of therapy. The organisation also provides a confidential telephone service and support line for anyone concerned about child sexual abuse. Last year, it received 2,197 calls, an increase of 42 per cent on the previous year. The figure for the Limerick centre was 892 calls, which breaks down to 751 for Limerick and 141 for Kerry. The national director of CARI, Ms Jean Manahan, said the figures are a further indication that more cases of child sexual abuse are now being reported to the authorities and that the demand for post-assessment therapy and counselling services is rising accordingly.
Limerick gardai yesterday appealed for assistance in tracking down the perpetrator of what they described as "a very serious assault with sexual intent" on a teenage girl last Thursday in a laneway on the Cratloe Road between Pineview Gardens in Moyross and Glenmore in Caherdavin. The assault took place before 10 a.m.
The attacker is believed to be 17 or 18 years of age, 5ft 4ins in height, medium build with tight brown hair and he was wearing an orange puff jacket with a wide black band. Anyone with information is asked to ring the gardai at Mary Street station, 061 417858.