At least 10 women were subjected to terrifying sexual assaults in Dublin during the Christmas season, according to the Rape Crisis Centre.
The centre said that between December 27th and New Year's Day, 10 victims were accompanied to the Sexual Assault Treatment Centre at the city's Rotunda Hospital.
The figure, up a third over the same period last year, came after a major campaign encouraging revellers to look out for each other.
Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, centre chief executive, said the increase in numbers could be a result of more rapes or from the campaign, entitled Behind Closed Door, which urged the reporting of sexual crimes.
"The numbers are up on last year, but we can't be sure whether there have been more rapes and sexual assaults or that people are more confident in reporting," she said. "We hope it's because more people are coming forward for help. "Our campaign was quite rigorous over the Christmas period in encouraging people to report."
The centre had warned that attackers may prey on vulnerable party-goers, many who may be trying to make their own way home alone following a night out.
Friends were told to stick together and women urged not to accept drinks from strangers. But with two out of three victims usually knowing their attacker, many are reluctant to speak out. "Ireland has the lowest reporting rate in Europe," continued Ms O'Malley-Dunlop.
"People need to know that it doesn't matter what your condition is, nobody has the right to violate you. "It's never the victim's fault and they should not be ashamed.
"Help is available. By coming forward and getting proper help people can get over this terrible trauma and get back to living a full life."
Throughout 2005, the centre's 24-hour helpline dealt with a record number of 16,331 calls, almost 2,000 more than in 2004.
More than 2,500 calls were made to the organisation's helpline throughout December 2005 and January 2006, while over 60 victims were taken to the capital's sexual assault treatment unit.