First-time callers to rape helpline increase by 20%

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

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s (DRCC) annual report revealed just over 9,000 genuine calls were made to the 24-hour national helpline.

First-time callers accounted for 3,988 of the calls made, an increase of 18% compared to 2010. Figures showed 81% of callers to the helpline were females.