Sex attacks by strangers on the increase

RAPE and sexual attacks by complete strangers are on the increase, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has warned.

While most people are abused, assaulted or raped by people they know, a growing number of attackers are now unknown to their victims, chief executive officer of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Muireann O'Briain said.

Figures compiled by the centre in 2000 found that about one in four attacks, or 25%, were committed by strangers. In 2001 this figure had increased to more than a third (32%) and preliminary results for 2002 are expected to show a further increase in stranger rape and assault.