Majority of Mayo rape victims know their attackers

Majority of Mayo rape victims know their attackers


Rowan Gallagher

MAYO Rape Crisis Centre saw 46 new clients in 2009, The Mayo News has learned one month before figures are officially released in September.
The figures show that all but one of the 46 clients knew who the perpetrator of the attack was.
Only 28 per cent of victims reported the sexual assault to the Gardaí, which is a slight increase on the previous year, and of the cases reported to Gardaí only three per cent have so far been found guilty, though some of the cases are still ongoing.
According to Ruth MacNeely of the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre there has been about one new woman per week with a marked increase of cases involving victims of trafficking at six per cent of new cases and has also noticed an increase in clients from the sex trade who have been seeking assistance from the centre.
“The centre dealt with 102 women last year of which a significant number are sex workers,” the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre spokesperson said.
Child sexual abuse (adult survivors) made up the majority of new cases at 40 per cent while rape and sexual assaults were at similar level of 37 per cent.
There were 50 plus perpetrators of sexual violence due to a number of victims being sexually assaulted by more than one assailant.
Neighbours and family friends accounted for almost half of all those who carried out child sexual abuse in 2009 followed by; father and clergy at 12 per cent each, partner of parent and unknown at 8 per cent each, family member, teacher and institutional at 4 per cent each.
The range of time that abuse was being carried out ranged from once off to over ten years duration with most lasting one to two years.
Attendance for support and counselling was at 68 per cent with 62 per cent attending for more than one session.
Mayo Rape Crisis Centre saw 102 clients in 2009 all of which were women with a total of 1,448 calls to the helpline.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by sexual violence at any time, recently or in the past and you would like to talk about it in a safe confidential way please contact Mayo Rape Crisis Centre 1800234900