The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has reported an all round increase in victims contacting the centre and says that the level of violence accompanying these crimes has increased.
Speaking at the launch of its annual report, Chief Executive, Ellen O Malley-Dunlop, said she is extremely worried when it seems that the problem of sexual violence can slip off the news agenda.
She said it is shocking to realise that there was a 20% increase in the number of victims accompanied by crisis centre's volunteers to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital in 2006.
The report also reveals an 11% increase in first-time callers to the centre's 24-hour helpline.
Overall the report indicates that rape and sexual assault increased last year by 3.5%.
