Rape Crisis Network Ireland Took Over 13,000 Calls Last Year

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland launched its Rape Crisis Statistics and Annual Report yesterday. With over 13,000 calls to 11 Rape Crisis Centres last year, the report shows the importance of the centres as essential safe places for disclosure and support for survivors of sexual violence. The report indicates that of those using Rape Crisis Centres, 65 percent of survivors had not previously reported to any formal authority. As such, RCNI data collection is one of the only places where these survivors’ experiences are documented and their voices can be heard. Speaking at yesterday's report launch, Executive Director Clíona Saidléar, said:

"Rape Crisis Network Ireland’s data fills a gap in the gathering of accurate and reliable information from survivors of sexual violence who have not reported to any formal authority. This database provides the most comprehensive and detailed information on sexual violence in the Irish context and is a vital resource to all those working towards ending sexual violence against women, men and children."

The organisation also launched their survivor feedback data on An Garda Síochana for the second year running. Following on from their groundbreaking report 'Rape & Justice in Ireland', the RCNI now collect and collate data on victim’s experiences of reporting to the Gardaí. They commented:

"On all three indicators: sensitivity; contact levels; and information, more survivors were satisfied with their experience with the Gardaí than in 2014. The report shows that 69 percent of survivors who filed a complaint with the Gardaí felt that they were treated in a sensitive manner, that their complaint was taken seriously and the Gardaí were attentive, sympathetic and supportive. This is a six point increase from the previous year."

Rape Crisis Network Ireland have received no funding from the child and family agency Tusla for two years:

"Last year, a cumulative 70 percent cut to our funding took effect and our core funding from Tusla was completely withdrawn. Because of this, we were unable to continue to provide the support we used to to the sector in relation to policy and guidance. We have worked hard to prioritse and support key policy areas but there is a gap opening up which needs to be urgently addressed."

Out of 13,208 calls to the group's helpline in 2015, 76 percent were voice calls, ranging from one minute to one and a half hours in length. The report also found that 67 percent of survivors were subjected to other forms of violence (physical, emotional, psychological) and one in ten were subjected to sexual violence in both childhood and adulthood. Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie