A counselling service for people who have suffered rape or sexual violence has begun a major advertising campaign for the Christmas period.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's Behind Closed Doors advert will be shown in cinemas from today.
"The advertisement highlights the fact that no matter what the circumstances are, it is never the victim's fault," the DRCC said.
"Over half of rapists are known to their victims. In the case of children, the abuser is often someone who is close to them. These are some of the reasons why rape and sexual abuse often remain hidden and behind closed doors.
"The advertisement invites those people (men, women and young people) to come forward, so that they can be helped and learn to live the life they deserve, through the healing process."
DRCC chief executive Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop said that during holiday periods the number of people contacting the helpline who had experienced recent rape or sexual assault "dramatically increases".
She said: "This is particularly true in the Christmas and New Year period. In December 2005, the number of calls to our helpline was 1,187. In January 2006 the number was 1,368.
"In the same period, our trained volunteers accompanied 30 people to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in December and 32 in January. We are urging people to take precautions particularly this Christmas and not to make it easy for the predators who are out there."
The DRCC freephone helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day, at 1800 778888.