Last year the Limerick Rape Crisis Centre dealt with 10 times more alleged rapes in the city than the number reported to gardaí, it has emerged.
A spokeswoman for the centre said yesterday that the lack of reported rapes sent out a message to rapists that they could do what they liked as there was no accountability.
The recently published Garda annual report shows 12 rapes reported in Limerick in 2003, yet the Rape Crisis Centre had more than 230 new clients last year, 48 per cent of whom were survivors of rape.
According to the centre this huge gap clearly demonstrated the vast under-reporting of rape and the need for agencies like rape crisis centres.
Speaking at the official opening of the centre's new premises in Limerick yesterday, Ms Ingrid Wallace called for a national funding strategy on violence against women in order to guarantee long-term security for such centres.
"With the Budget imminent, this is an especially live topic," she said.
"We are fortunate in the Limerick area that the Mid Western Health Board has always been extremely supportive of LRCC and has long since recognised the importance of a multi-agency approach to violence against women."
"This recognition and support needs to be rolled out nationally," she added.
The new centre is at Roche Ville House, a two-storey former family residence at Punches Cross, on the outskirts of Limerick city.
The €500,000 premises was purchased with the help of a €200,000 donation by the J.P. McManus Charitable Trust and a further €50,000 from the Mid Western Health Board.
Mr McManus's wife, Noirín, officially opened the premises yesterday. She said she hoped it would bring hope, peace and consolation to all the people it helped.
The centre is open six days a week and the freephone number is 1800 311511. It is run by five paid staff and 12 volunteers.