‘Grace’ prompts rise in rape calls

One of the country’s main support organisations for victims of rape and sexual assault has had a “surge” of callers to its helpline since the Grace case of alleged abuse in a foster home.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) said it had a higher number of callers than usual on Tuesday, and that all were first-time callers.

The DRCC’s outgoing chief executive, Ellen O’Malley Dunlop, said: “We have had an increase in calls. People were very upset by what they heard and they were a cross-section of people, including people who may have a family member placed [in care services].”

There has also been an increase in the number of accompaniments of victims to sexual-assault units, although it is uncertain whether this signified an increased prevalence of sexual assault or because victims were more confident in coming forward and seeking help.

The case of Grace, the woman who was placed in the foster home for two decades, despite concerns, particularly from social workers, has resulted in some services providing additional resources to those who wish to make contact with them.

One HSE-funded counselling phone service, Connect, opened for an additional night this week to respond to calls prompted by the case.

Connect, a free telephone-based counselling service, which normally opens Wednesday to Sunday, from 6pm to 10pm, opened on Tuesday night.

While it did not receive a higher call volume than on any other night, the service’s manager, Theresa Merrigan, said: “Public focus on issues of neglect and trauma awakens distress and upset for people who have been affected and the Connect service is available to support these people.”

The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) said that it was too early to know if there had been an upturn in calls to its services, seeking assistance, prompted by the alleged foster home abuse.

Connect: freephone 1800 477 477

DRCC Helpline: 1800 77 88 88

RCNI: 091 563676