Calls to the CARI foundation's child sexual abuse helpline rose by 42 per cent to 2,197 last year, according to the latest figures from the group. CARI, which runs two full-time therapy centres in Dublin and Limerick and a part-time centre in Tralee, also reported a 34 per cent increase in the number of therapy hours provided.
Ms Jean Manahan, national director, said the figures were further indication that more cases of abuse were being reported and the demand for therapy and counselling services was rising accordingly.