Crime victim helpline calls rise 11%

Gardai on a night patrol in the Temple Bar area in Dublin. Almost one in five calls to a crime helpline involved an assault. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times

The Crime Victims Helpline has reported an 11 per cent increase in the number of cases it dealt with in 2011.

Maeve Ryan, co-ordinator of the service, said 17 per cent of the 6,000 calls last year were linked to physical assaults, with unprovoked attacks at night on the street a regular feature.

Ms Ryan said in the absence of CCTV footage or a witness, it was very difficult for gardaí to find and prosecute the attackers.

“We encourage anyone who has become a victim of crime to talk about the incident to someone,” she said. “Every day we help people who are experiencing emotional and practical difficulties, as a result of a crime.”

The voluntary helpline provides emotional support and advice on the legal system to victims of crime.

Ms Ryan said there was no one reason for the increase in calls over the past 12 months. “It may simply be that there is a greater awareness of the service,” she said.

PA 

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