Calls to Dublin rape centre up 75% since Ferns Report

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has reported a 75% increase in calls to its helpline service since the publication of the Ferns Report last month.

The figure was revealed today as the organisation launched a new website designed to make its services more accessible.

The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland had already reported a 50% surge in calls to helplines across the country as a result of the report into clerical child sex abuse in the Ferns diocese.

The document outlined details of scores of sex abuse allegations against priests, as well as the failure of the church authorities to adequately deal with the complaints.