The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) is facing "crunch-time" as demand for its expertise continues to grow but State funding support remains stagnant.

MORE than half of people seeking counselling from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) last year experienced childhood sexual abuse.

THE Manchester project, whereby nurses receive training to forensically examine rape victims, would prove to be a major stride forward if proven to be practical and adaptable to this country.

With consent the major issue in the Belfast rape trial, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has underlined its concern about the way in which trials for sexual violence are conducted.

Convicted sex attacker Anthony Lyons bowed his head yesterday when a judge said he must go back to prison to serve another 18 months on top of six months already served.

Rape survivor Lavinia Kerwick is one of the people to pay tribute to Ryan as the show went out on air.

Dublin football star Diarmuid Connolly has paid €5,000 to charities nominated by a man whose eye socket he fractured during an unprovoked attack in a pub.

A full-scale review of all child abuse files within the Health Service Executive (HSE) must be taken immediately, it was warned tonight.

Rape victims and women forced in to trafficking, prostitution and pornography will not be protected by a new government body, it was claimed today.

NEW Year party-goers are being urged to take steps to avoid being targeted by sex attackers over the bank holiday weekend.

YESTERDAY marked the second anniversary of the statutory rape crisis which arose when the Supreme Court found the existing legislation to be unconstitutional as it did not allow a defence of not guilty due to an honest mistake regarding the girl’s age.

The number of prosecutions for rape or sexual assault has more than doubled over the past 10 years.

Cormac O’Keeffe

Revellers were today warned to be extra vigilant of sexual predators over the festive period.

Rape crisis centres, women’s groups and the Policing Authority have welcomed the establishment of four divisional specialist units to investigate domestic, sexual and child abuse.

There are calls for new laws on data retention to be brought forward before Christmas in response to yesterday's judgement in relation to Graham Dwyer's case.

GARDAÍ have formally started notifying victims of convicted sex abuser Derry O’Rourke of his release from prison tomorrow — even though many victims already learned of his release through the media over the weekend.