Massive surge in first-time callers to helplines

THERE has been a massive surge in first-time callers as helplines and support groups have been overwhelmed with calls for help from abuse victims since the damning report on religious-run schools was published.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said it had brought in extra volunteers to man phone lines and had seen a doubling in the number of calls since the launch of the Child Abuse Commission report.

Chief executive Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop said: “Many calling had had their memories triggered again [by the report], while others just wanted to reconnect with us again.