Calls to Rape Crisis Centre rise

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre says its services are more in demand now than at any time in the past.

The centre's latest annual report shows that its 24-hour helpline dealt with almost 13,000 calls last year, an increase of 4% compared to 2007.

The organisation accompanied 284 victims to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit during 2008

It says the number of people reporting rapes or sexual assaults by a stranger is on the increase, while the number of clients attending the centre for childhood sexual abuse has increased by 20% over the past five years.

The centre also says it is concerned that cutbacks in government funding could affect its ability to support victims.