Over 22,000 helpline calls to DRCC as survivors seek support in record numbers

More than 22,000 calls were received to its national helpline – breaking the 20,000 mark for the first time. File picture

Record numbers turned to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) for support last year, amid concerns that online content is leading to acts of sexual violence.

The 2024 annual report from the DRCC is being published today and highlights that the number of reports received last year was the highest in its 46-year history.

Some 637 clients received therapy last year from the centre, up from 497 in 2023. More than 22,000 calls were received to its national helpline – breaking the 20,000 mark for the first time.

The report noted that high-profile media reports and investigations, including the Nikita Hand civil case against Conor McGregor, led to a spike in contacts to the 24-hour helpline.

It said that investigations into past abuse by individual perpetrators or in “settings like schools or medical facilities” also led to calls to the helpline, including from people aged in their 80s.

The report said: “Older men in particular talked about abuse they had experienced as children in school. Most older callers were disclosing their abuse for the very first time and were overwhelmed with the emotions it brought up for them.” 

The report revealed that some clients raised concerns about going for routine medical treatments such as colonoscopy or gynaecological examinations, or feeling vulnerable when having to lie flat during, for example, a dental appointment.

The report also found that:

• An increase of 22% in people accessing its 24-hour national helpline, with 22,700 contacts last year 
• Five of those accessing therapy last year had become pregnant as a result of rape.
• Of those who attended appointments last year, 36% had experienced a rape or sexual assault within the previous six months.
• 27.4% of clients had been abused as children 

Chairperson of the organisation’s board of directors, Anne Marie James, called for “laws and regulation that keep pace with emerging threats”.

She said: “There are real-world consequences of legislative inaction and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre clients are bearing those consequences. The violence, cruelty and harm of online content is informing acts of sexual violence and urgently needs much stronger and braver regulation to better protect people.” 

The centre’s chief executive, Rachel Morrogh, said that sexual violence “is still an insidious and common occurrence in modern Ireland”. 

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“Although we are encouraged by the marked rise in the number of survivors contacting us, we know that this is a fraction of the thousands of people living with trauma who have not yet sought support. Our message to them today is that they are not invisible to us, that they deserve support, and that when they feel ready to talk, we are ready to listen.” 

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will launch the report this morning and described the report's findings as "hugely concerning".

He said: “Sexual violence is a crime that has historically been under-reported and this is something I am committed to addressing, and something that is changing as complainants become more confident in our justice system."