Dublin rape centre reports fall in reporting of attacks

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has reported a fall in the percentage of rapes and sexual assaults being reported to the Gardai in the city last year.

In its annual report for 2004, the centre said it's 24-hour helpline received almost 11,000 calls during the year.

It said just 25% of these cases were reported to the Gardaí, compared to 30% in 2003.

Launching the report today, Junior Minister Frank Fahey said the Government was co-funding research into why so few cases go to court, which is one of the reasons why many women never report attacks.

He also said an inter-departmental group had been established to look into the issue of funding, or the lack thereof, in this area.