A HELPLINE for victims of crime saw a 20 per cent increase in calls in 2010. The Crime Victims Helpline received 2,897 calls in 2010, an increase of 485 on the figure for 2009, according to its annual report published yesterday. Helpline volunteers also made 2,000 calls to or on behalf of callers.
Assault accounted for one in four calls to the helpline and the majority of these assaults were unprovoked, random occurrences, making it difficult for them to be investigated.
The other most common crimes generating calls to the helpline were robbery, sexual violence and harassment.
The number of burglaries reported to the helpline has remained relatively constant since it was set up in 2005, despite the impact of the recession.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Maeve Ryan, co-ordinator of the helpline, said the increase in calls showed the ongoing need for the service.
“The majority of our callers, about 60 per cent, required some level of emotional support. Many people also struggle to cope with the complexities of the criminal justice system in the aftermath of becoming a victim of crime.”
“Most of our calls are about anti-social behaviour. It is a less serious crime and difficult to prove but the consequences of it are immense,” she said.
The National Crime Victims Helpline is a freephone number – 116 006 – and the website is crimevictimshelpline.ie. The service can also be accessed by texting 085 1337711.