There has been a marked increase in the number of men using rape crisis services in the north-west.
The Sligo Rape Crisis Centre has recorded a significant rise in demand over the past two years but singles out the increase in males, who now comprise one-in-five of its clients, as one of the most unexpected factors. It also noted a significant increase in queries relating to drug-assisted rape.
Ms Frances Larkin, the centre's co-ordinator, said men now account for up to 20 per cent of its clients. Men account for about 10 per cent of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre clients.
Ms Larkin said some male clients were dealing with abuse that happened in childhood, while others were coping with more recent assaults. She attributed the increase in male callers to the fact that it was now more acceptable to seek help for such assaults.
She also pointed to an increase in inquiries involving rohypnol - the so-called date-rape drug. "I don't know the extent of it but, for some reason, quite a few enquiries come from the south Donegal-Bundoran region," she said. The Sligo centre caters for clients in Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal.
Overall, the Sligo centre recorded 702 telephone calls for help or information in 1998. While 1999 figures have not yet been compiled, Ms Larkin estimated that this figure had at least doubled, if not trebled.
She said the Sligo centre was not even coming close to meeting the demand from the public. "We are open for 1 1/2 hours from Tuesday to Friday. We would love to provide a 24-hour service, or even an eight-hour service, but we haven't the funds."
