Holiday rapes lead to creation of helpline

A EUROPEAN rape crisis helpline is being set up in response to the growing number of women who are raped and sexually assaulted while on holidays.

It comes as Greek police revealed they are investigating the rape of one Irish woman and five British women on the Greek holiday island of Corfu since the start of July.

The six victims are aged 18 to 21.

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland is currently involved with its European counterparts in a two-year project to develop a central helpdesk for victims of sexual crime in a foreign country.

Ingrid Wallace of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland said: “The idea is to create a European federation of rape crisis centres which will provide a central helpline number for the whole continent, as well as establish a website with contact details for every country.”

Police reports reveal 44 British women have been raped on Corfu since 1994. But local authorities believe the figure may be much higher, as a majority of victims never report the crime.

Tour operators and the police have been accused of keeping rape statistics under wraps to avoid tarnishing the island’s image and damaging business. Corfu tourism suffered badly during the Balkans war with bookings dropping by a quarter. Holiday firms said tourists were deterred by the island’s proximity to former Yugoslavia states.

But the threat of becoming a victim of sexual assault while on vacation is not just confined to Corfu.

Earlier this summer, Irish holidaymakers travelling to the Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa were warned of a growing use of a date-rape drug known as GBH. An Irish woman also reported being raped in the popular Spanish destination of Salou earlier this year.

The helpline will is expected to become operational next summer.

Although no specific data is available, Ms Wallace said the helpline initiative was a response to the increasing problem of female tourists being raped.

“Rape crisis centres in Ireland have become aware that there are a growing number of women who are reporting rape at this time of year after returning from holidays.

“Women are more vulnerable when on holidays. They are more likely to be targeted as holiday-makers because attackers believe they are less likely to report the crime if abroad,” she added.

Ms Wallace also urged all victims of sexual assault to report the crime.

“There is a lot of help and support available. Although women may be confused and fearful, we would encourage them to notify the relevant authorities, even if some time has passed,” she said.