Dozens ring victim helpline after RTÉ broadcasts rape drama

The Rape Crisis Centre's free-phone helpline has said it received "a huge increase" in calls after RTÉ 1 broadcast a drama about rape on Sunday.

Damagetold the fictional story of a rape at a 21st birthday party and how it affected a group of southside Dubliners.

The Rape Crisis Centre's help-line number 1800 778888 was broadcast immediately after the film. "This resulted in a huge increase in the volume of calls to the helpline," said Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop, chief executive of the centre. Extra counsellors were made available and the helpline received more than 42 counselling calls relating to the film in 90 minutes. More than 80 per cent were first-time callers.

The helpline also received a further 32 calls, most of which involved people who were unable to speak and then hung up.

On Monday, the freephone number received "a steady flow of calls" relating to the drama, Ms O'Malley-Dunlop said.

"The people who called the helpline were all very upset, but found themselves, because of the programme, and many for the first time, able to break the silence which some had kept for over 10 years," she said.

She praised the film-makers for making a drama which dealt with rape in "a sensitive, realistic and responsible way".

Ms O'Malley-Dunlop said rape and sexual assault were the most under-reported crimes. It is estimated one-third of adults seeking counselling for sexual assault have not contacted gardaí. "We still have a long way to go before we have any true picture of the extent of these crimes but it is so much better that people know help is available," she said.