There has been an increase in the number of people reporting rape and sexual assault in Dublin but a lack of resources means only 20 per cent of victims can be supported, according to the latest Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) figures.
Some 11,863 counselling calls were received by the DRCC's helpline, of which 57 per cent related to adult rape and sexual assault, compared to 53 per cent in 2002.
Publishing annual statistices today, the centre also noted the figures broadly refelcted the number of victims of such crimes receiving counselling, 11 per cent of whom were male.
Ms Rosemary Daly, DRCC chief executive
Ms Rosemary Daly, DRCC chief executive , said that 624 people were seen in 2003 but that there were inusfficient resources to meet demand which led to a backlog and consequently created a difficulty responding to those recently reporting a sexual attack.
"Sadly, there can be a delay in providing psychotherapy or counselling," she said.
A lack of funding also affected the DRCC's capacity to deal with non-nationals - only English and French speakers are counselled at present.
Particulary violent assaults were noted among the 5 per cent of non-national callers many of whom were asylum-seekers or refugees who had experienced sexual violence in their countries of origin.
Of these, some had also experienced imprisonment, torture and multiple rapes. Others had experienced rape or sexual assault since their arrival in Ireland, the centre said.
The DRCC also expressed concern about the increase of 15- to 17-year-olds who called the helpline last year, which went up to to 20 per cent.
Ms Daly also noted that while a relatively low 3 per cent of clients were victims of drug-rape, the figure may not reflect the prevalence of the crime. "It may be that victims of drug-rape are reluctant to come forward, as memories are often unclear," Ms Daly said.
The centre's chairwoman, Ms Breda Allen, said there would need to be increased resources if the "long-term suffering experienced by victims of sexual violence" was to be addressed. "It is clear that the services are not adequate if even 20 per cent of these people were to seek them."