The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said it is hopeful judges and legal professionals will soon take part in education programmes to help them better understand the consequences of sexual crimes.

Up to 16% of students have suffered an unwanted sexual experience at college or university, a study found.

Rape crisis groups want specialist education for judges and barristers and greater protection for victims in court.

A rape victim has said she is devastated by a judge’s decision to let her attacker walk free from court in order to look after his special needs children.

First-time callers to a rape crisis helpline increased by almost 20% last year.

Rape crisis groups have hit out at the sentence in the Anthony Lyons case, describing it as very lenient.

Two thirds of convicted sex offenders due to be released from prison this year have not engaged with prison psychologists, which could have helped lower the risk of reoffending.

NEW Year party-goers are being urged to take steps to avoid being targeted by sex attackers over the bank holiday weekend.

A full-scale review of all child abuse files within the Health Service Executive (HSE) must be taken immediately, it was warned tonight.

A SURGE of 45% in first-time callers to rape crisis support services last year was triggered by the release of two damning abuse reports.

A RAPE crisis charity has issued a set of tips which they hope can help prevent the upsurge of sexual assaults linked to better weather and outdoor events.

Counsellors were today bracing themselves for an onslaught of crisis calls after the latest horrific revelations of a Catholic Church cover-up of clerical sex abuse.

ABUSE victim support services will join forces this week to respond to the massive outpouring expected from the publication of the Dublin Archdiocese report.

A RAPE crisis centre chief has expressed concern over the ease of access to online pornographic images after a public servant downloaded over 15,000 images and files of naked children.

THE Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) experienced an increase of 16% in calls to the its national 24-hour helpline for victims of rape and sexual abuse in the first six months of 2009.

MORE people are reporting rape or sexual assault committed by a stranger or someone they just met, while a growing number of victims are also suffering physical violence, psychological abuse and intimidation.

CRIES for help received by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre last year were equally divided between childhood sexual abuse and adult rape.

More than half of all rape victims are preyed on by a stranger or someone they just met on a night out, it was revealed today.

A CANDLE flame flickered in front of framed photographs of murdered Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo as her parents launched a new foundation for rape and sexual assault victims in Dublin yesterday.

More than one person was raped on average every day in Ireland this year, official crime figures have shown.

RAPE crisis services are at serious risk due to the cap on HSE funding and a decline in corporate donations, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said.

Women were tonight urged to be vigilant of sexual predators who plan to target victims over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

THE head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has called for every diocese in the country to be investigated by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation.

VICTIMS of rape in Galway and Mullingar have to travel to Dublin to be examined following an attack, as promised sexual assault units have not yet been opened.

The number of rapes declined in 2007 but campaigners say less victims are coming forward for help.

Sexual predators were today warned they could be accused of rape if they target drunk Leaving Cert students.

THIRTY-ONE people reported being raped in Dublin in July — the equivalent of one sexual assault for every day of the month.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre today launched a handbook for translators who accompany sexual assault victims to their clinics.

A LENGTHY sentence handed down yesterday to a vicious rapist may encourage more victims to report sexual attacks.

VICTIMS’ groups have expressed alarm at the continuing drop in reports of sex crimes to gardaí at a time when more people are seeking counselling.

Revellers were today warned to be extra vigilant of sexual predators over the festive period.

ADULT child abuse victims have been contacting crisis helplines in record numbers following Wednesday night’s Prime Time exposé on RTÉ.

VICTIMS of paedophile swimming coach Derry O’Rourke were left in anger and despair yesterday as their abuser walked free from jail with no obligation to notify gardaí of his whereabouts for the next seven days.

THROUGHOUT the Christmas period cinema screens will carry a hard-hitting ad campaign speaking directly to rape victims.