Reports of rape and sexual assault double in six years

The number of people reporting rape and sexual assault to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has doubled over the last six years.

According to the Centre's annual report, its volunteers accompanied 320 victims to the Sexual Assault and Treatment Unit in 2007 - a 100% increase on 2001 figures.

The Centre received more than 13,000 calls last year, 83% of which were from women.

47% of calls related to childhood sexual abuse - an increase of 5% on the previous year.