Young people due to receive their Leaving Cert results this week have been urged to stay safe when out celebrating, as figures have shown an increase in the number of sexual assaults around results time.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said it accompanied 28 people to sexual assault treatment units in August of last year, and 40 the previous year.
Chief executive Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop said she believed the figures were linked to exam results time, and also to outdoor concerts.
Counsellors accompanied 10 people to sexual assault units in the week immediately after the Oxegen music festival in July, compared to five in the following week and two between July 22nd and 28th.
These figures apply to the Dublin sexual assault treatment unit only.
There are also dedicated units in Galway and Mullingar and Ms O’Malley-Dunlop said some further “drilling down” into the figures across the three units would be required.
The centre, in consultation with young people, has put together tips which it said should ensure those celebrating their exam results have a “memorable and great time” together without adults present.
“Getting the Leaving Cert Results is one of those very important rites of passage for young men and women in Ireland today,” Ms O’Malley-Dunlop said. “Like all rites of passage it is a transitional time and as such young people still need support in making the life changes that leaving school and the Leaving Cert results, bring.”
She noted that some young people now go away together to celebrate their exam results, and said some of them had later required the services of the centre’s counsellors.
“This may be the first time that the class of 2010 will be away for an extended period without the support and supervision of an adult," she said.
“While this can be very freeing it can also be scary. These tips may seem simple but they are extremely useful and from feedback we have received, they have helped a lot of young people to stay safe and as a result have a memorable and great time together without the adults.”
The staying safe tips urge young people to look out for each other and not to become separated from their group. They are also urged to keep their drink in their hand at all times and not to accept drinks from someone they have just met.
A designated ‘minder’ should be nominated for each group of six, and people should share taxis and lifts. People out celebrating should also make sure to keep their mobile phones charged at all times and to phone ahead if they had to travel alone.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said young people should also be aware that having sexual intercourse with a person without their consent constitutes rape
In the event of an incident, the national 24-hour helpline is 1 800778888. If someone wished to report the crime, they should go to the Garda. They should also seek medical help. Those travelling abroad should also have the number of the local Irish embassy or consulate saved in their phone.
Ms O’Malley-Dunlop said those doing Junior Certificate exams were also “unfortunately” victims of sexual assault.