A new research project will be conducted to identify why victims of rape do not report cases to the Garda and why only a small percentage of reported cases result in a court hearing.
The research, by the department of law in NUI Galway and the Rape Crisis Network, will be part-funded by the Department of Justice, its Minister of State, Mr Willie O'Dea, said yesterday.
He said he was very concerned at the increasing trend in the number of reported sexual offences.
Between 2000 and 2001 there was a 38 per cent increase in the number of rapes reported to gardaí.
"It must be stressed that some of the increases can be attributed to cases which occurred some time in the past and which are only now being reported to the gardaí," Mr O'Dea said.
It took years for some victims to seek help after a rape, the Minister said. "We also know from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's recently published statistics that in 66 per cent of cases presenting to them the perpetrator of rape or sexual assault is known to the victim.
"This makes it even harder for the victim to report these heinous crimes."
Victims needed to know that they were not alone, that they were not to blame and that help was available, Mr O'Dea said.
"It is very important that we do not say or do anything that may inhibit a person from coming forward to seek help."
He was speaking at the publication of a new information leaflet on rape and sexual assault, which was produced by the national steering committee on violence against women.
"The information contained in this leaflet is designed to help and encourage people who have been victims of sexual violence to come forward and seek the help and support they need," Mr O'Dea said.
"And indeed, we must remember that these crimes can happen to anyone, women, children and men."
The new leaflet will be available in Garda stations, GPs' surgeries, hospitals, information centres and rape crisis centres throughout the State.
"And it is my hope that it will be used not only by victims of sexual violence, but also by anyone who has a family member or friend who may have been a victim," Mr O'Dea said.
