Surge in sex assault calls to helpline

CARI, the voluntary support body providing therapy and support to those affected by child sexual abuse, has reported 1,417 calls to their helpline over the past year.

Its national clinical director, Dr Niall Muldoon, said calls relating to sexualised behaviour increased by 38% since 2009, while calls concerning rape and sexual assault rose by 17%.

Research carried out some years ago indicated one in five people in Ireland experienced child sexual abuse which, according to the 2006 census, would equate to 847,970 people.