THE dramatic rise in gun crime and sexual offences, alarming trends highlighted in the latest figures from the gardaí, are a cause of grave concern for society.

CALLS to the country’s only 24-hour rape crisis helpline increased by almost half in the past two years, leaving services for victims of sexual violence struggling to keep up with demand.

THE huge burden faced by relatives of murder victims could be eased greatly if radical proposals for the overhaul of the criminal courts system are introduced, a leading pressure group claimed last night.

CALLS to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) increased by 75% in the wake of the Ferns Inquiry into the allegations of clerical sexual abuse was published, the centre has revealed.

THE State has paid for two teenagers in its care to have abortions abroad since the referendum to limit abortion here was defeated a year ago.

A JUDGE who accused the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) of abusing the judicial system has been criticised for his remarks by members of victim support organisations.

IF justice delayed is justice denied, then the operation of the Irish court system leaves much to be desired.

AS rape is among the most heinous of crimes, any legal initiative likely to be perceived as undermining the gravity of such an offence should not be considered lightly, if at all.

IRELAND’S first undergraduate degree programme in criminal justice is to be offered at Waterford Institute of Technology from September.

SEXUALLY abused children are having to wait up to a year to be clinically assessed by specialists, a leading child protection group said yesterday.

AT least, for a change, the Government can’t be blamed for the disappearance of the €5.7 million in a scam that left some people without their life savings.

THE Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is aiming to help people break the barriers preventing them from disclosing sexual violence.

THERE has been a steady drop in the number of rape cases getting to court in the past five years.

GIVEN the shocking increase in the incidence of rape and sex attacks, it is unconscionable that the future of three of the country’s four sexual assault treatment units should be in doubt.

THREE out of five reported cases of child sex abuse are perpetrated by a male relative, while a further quarter are carried out by a person known to the victim, apart from a direct family member, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) said yesterday.

Neans McSweeney reports on the successful approach taken by a new centre for sexual assault victims.

An unpublished report finds low staffing levels and a lack of funding mean that three of the country’s four sexual assault treatment units are under serious threat, writes Catherine Shanahan.

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.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is to introduce a series of tough laws later this year as crime rates soar out of control.

FEWER women may report rape because there is no nationwide network of sexual assault treatment centres in hospitals, experts have warned.