Caroline Forde looks at how specialist services can help survivors of sexual violence work through the traumatic consequences at their own pace, and argues that such services must be freely available to all.

A groundbreaking report on child rape and sexual abuse shows the average age of an offender is 26, over a third of abusers are children, and family members pose the greatest threat to children — not ‘stranger danger’.

Rape crisis centres are urging Health Minister James Reilly not to cut their funding any more as figures show an 11% jump in the number of people contacting centres last year.

Sex attack counsellors have pleaded for funding for free services not to be cut after supporting 2,541 people last year.