Rape and sexual assault involving teenagers appears to be on the increase in Ireland, a new report has found.

In some cases, these assaults are being filmed and discussed on social media.

According to the CARI 2013/2014 Annual Report, between 2012 and 2014, there was a 43% increase in calls to its helpline in relation to rape and assault. In many of these cases, both the victims and alleged perpetrators were teenagers.

CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) offers support and therapy to children, families and groups affected by child sexual abuse. The charity said that in 2012, it noticed a big increase in calls to the helpline in relation to rape and sexual assault, particularly involving teenagers.

These figures increased in 2013 and by the end of 2014, showed an overall 43% increase in that three-year period.

"What is particularly disturbing is that the teenagers report being further traumatised by the fact that these assaults were viewed and discussed by their peers on social media sites, which often led to the isolation and bullying of the victims," commented CARI chief executive, Mary Flaherty.

She insisted that a treatment programme for sexualised behaviour in young children ‘is urgently needed' as a ‘significant proportion of referrals to CARI in recent years are for such behaviours in the under-12 age group'.

CARI insisted that child sexual abuse is a preventable public health problem, but that timely access to therapy is essential. While children are resilient and can recover if they receive appropriate therapy, delays in court proceedings can impact negatively, it said.

However, the report pointed out that due to ongoing issues, including funding problems and staff and structural changes, there was an 18% fall in therapy hours provided between 2012 and 2013, and a further 13% fall between 2013 and 2014.

"This gave an overall drop of almost 29%. As a result, we had waiting lists in both Dublin and Limerick. It is unacceptable that children who have been abused can be waiting up to 12 months due to cutbacks. Sadly, the already inadequate services to children have declined further and they have no specialised therapy service," CARI noted.

For more information on the charity and its services, click here