The country's national helpline for victims of rape and sexual assault dealt with almost 12,200 calls last year, its highest figure since 2009.

According to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's (DRCC) Annual Report and Statistics 2013, its national 24-hour helpline answered 12,192 calls last year, almost half of which related to adult rape.

Over 9,600 calls were genuine counselling contacts, marking an increase of 5% compared to 2012. Meanwhile, four in 10 genuine contacts last year were first-time callers.

Some 43% of calls related to adult rape, an increase of 3% when compared to 2012's figures. While 9% of calls related to adult sexual assault, a jump of 21% when compared with 2012.

At least one in five callers were male and almost three in four callers were from Dublin, while the remainder were from 12 other counties. The vast majority of callers - 96% - were of Irish nationality.

Some 231 victims of rape and sexual assault were also accompanied by DRCC trained volunteers to the SATU (sexual assault treatment unit) of Dublin's Rotunda Hospital.

According to DRCC chief executive, Ellen O'Malley Dunlop, this helpline ‘continues to be a tremendous resource for victims of adult sexual violence and adult victims of childhood sexual abuse'.

"In 2009, calls to the helpline reached an all-time high due to the publication of the Ryan and Murphy Reports. In 2013, there were no such damning publications but the helpline staff and trained volunteers processed the highest number of calls to the Helpline since 2009," she noted.

She pointed out that in the last tear, there has been a ‘disturbing increase' in sexual violence, as shown by the 21% increase in calls from victims of adult sexual assaults.

She emphasised that for victims of rape and sexual assault, the helpline is ‘often their first point of contact where they find support and information'.

Ms O'Malley Dunlop expressed serious concern about cutbacks, pointing out that the DRCC's grant from the Government ‘has been cut on an annual basis since 2008'.

"In 2013, the grant was further cut in the middle of the year which meant that we had to go back and revise the already depleted budget. As a consequence of the cuts, management and staff have been on frozen salaries since 2008 plus salary cuts ranging from 5-20%.

"It is not fair, ethical nor does it make economic sense to cut services to some of the most vulnerable in our society and unless the grant is maintained at a reasonable level, we will not be able to respond to the needs of the victims contacting us," she insisted.

Meanwhile, the report also contained details about reporting sexual crimes to the Gardai. This information was based on 284 clients who began therapy in the DRCC in 2013. Among these, 106 cases were reported to the Gardai, a reporting rate of just 37%.

Of these 106 cases, outcome information was known in 38 of the cases:
-Charges were dropped by either the client or DPP in 16 cases
-17 cases were pending
-Five cases went to trial. Of these, four involved guilty pleas or convictions and one resulted in an acquittal.

Ms O'Malley Dunlop said that Ireland is now at a ‘critical turning point' in relation to awareness and changes in what were ‘very stereotypical entrenched attitudes towards rape and sexual abuse'.

"While we still have some way to go in challenging these old myths, especially those that blame the victim, having laws in place that support justice for victims while at the same time respecting an accused person's right to a fair trial, will go a long way to curbing sexual crimes in our society. Victims will be more inclined not to drop out of the criminal justice system and we will see more cases going to trial," she added.

The national helpline is available 24 hours a day. The number is 1800 77 77 88.