<p>
	The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has reported a 30pc increase in first-time callers to its 24 hour helpline, with men accounting for almost a quarter of those seeking help.</p>
<p>
	More than 12,000 contacts were made to the charity last year, with some 9,207 deemed genuine. Some 3,341 individual client appointments were completed in 2014, according to its annual report.</p>
<p>
	Four out of 10 people who needed a crisis appointment received emergency counselling for rape or a sexual assault within six months of the alleged offence. There was a 71pc increase in such &quot;recent&quot; appointments compared to 2013, DRCC said.</p>
<p>
	Half of its new clients who received face-to-face counselling also reported other forms of violence including physical and psychological abuse, harassment and intimidation as well stalking and threats and attempts to kill, DRCC said.</p>
<p>
	Elsewhere, more than 200 victims of rape and sexual assault were accompanied by trained volunteers to the Sexual Assault and Treatment Unit (SATU) in Dublin&#39;s Rotunda Hospital.</p>
<p>
	Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, who launched the report, has received broad support for proposed reform of sexual offences legislation published last year.</p>
<p>
	She is widely expected to shortly announce a new Government commitment to undertake research into the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland.</p>
<p>
	Any new research would follow on from the landmark 2002 &#39;Sexual Assault and Violence Report in Ireland&#39; (SAVI).</p>
<p>
	Anne Marie Gill, DRCC Chairperson, said that a second SAVI could provide comparative, rigorous research to identify whether there has been change for &quot;better or worse&quot;.</p>
<p>
	The Government is set to transpose into Irish law a new EU Directive on Victim&#39;s Rights.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/quarter-of-all-calls-to-rape-helpline-from-men-31308566.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/quarter-of-all-calls-to-rape-helpline-from-men-31308566.html</a></p>
