Calls to the Helpline, specifically about adult rape, increased by a third between 2016 and 2017. It is important to note that this is a continuing trend, with the number of calls relating to adult rape increasing by 65% since 2015. There has been a huge spike in calls to the national helpline since the end of 2017, which was closely correlated to the massive public response to perceptions of victim-blaming comments made on national media and the emergence of the world-wide #MeToo movement on social media.

The DRCC support services comprise the National 24-Hour Helpline, crisis counselling and long-term therapyservices in Leeson Street and in three outreach services, (Coolock, Tallaght and Dóchas Women’s Prison), as well as accompaniment services for those attending the Rotunda Hospital’s Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU), Garda stations, and court.

The Helpline, outreach services, court accompaniment and SATU attendance is largely supported by 105 trained volunteers. In 2017, Helpline Counsellors responded to:

• 10,818 calls;
• 1,019 text messages; and
• 645 emails.