The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has reported an increase in first-time calls of some 11 per cent last year.
Publishing its annual report and statistics for 2006, the DRCC also said there was a 20 per cent increase in the number of women and men attending sexual assault treatment units
It questioned why, when Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures showed that the reporting of rape and sexual assault was down, it had seen an "all-round increase" in the number of victims contacting its services.
Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
Some 42 per cent of more than 15,000 calls to the centre's helpline related to childhood sexual abuse, and 55 per cent related to adult rape and sexual assault.
In total, the service recorded a 3.5 per cent rise in rape and sexual assault and a 4.5 percentage point increase in the total number of its clients raped by strangers (39.4 per cent).
DRCC chief executive Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop said: "Even though the Central Statistics Office figures recently showed that the reporting of rape and sexual assault was down, it is evident from our figures, that not only is there an all round increase in victims contacting the centre's services, but the level of violence accompanying these crimes has increased to such an extent, that we are extremely worried when it seems that the problem can slip off the agenda."
The DRCC said it wanted to remind politicians seeking election that the crimes of rape and sexual assault are "without doubt pernicious, persistent and still hidden".
Ms O'Malley-Dunlop said it was "shocking" that there was a 20 per cent rise in the numbers of victims accompanied by the centre's volunteers to the sexual assault treatment unit during 2006 in Dublin. She said there was "growing concern" about the level of sexual violence in society and the under-reporting thereof.
"This is reflected throughout our statistics for 2006 and in the 11 per cent increase in the number of first time callers to our helpline. Why is this not translated into detection and conviction?" she said.
The 24-hour helpline dealt with 15,781 calls, of which 12,244 were "genuine counselling calls". Some 4,266 (35 per cent of the genuine calls) were from first-time callers. A total of 77 per cent were from the Dublin and greater Dublin area.
In total, 84 per cent of calls were from females and 16 per cent from males.