There's been a significant rise in the number of people reaching out for help in the last two months after being raped or sexually assaulted.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has published details of how its services have been hit by the pandemic, alongside its annual report for 2019.
The organisation was helping three people for sexual abuse in June, but that figure has now risen to 47.
Chief Executive Noeleen Blackwell says it's an unprecedented increase;
"They were not able to talk to us during the worst of the restrictions but that has changed in the past couple of months and we've seen really a very significant increase in demand."
She says counsellors noted extremely heightened anxiety levels and feelings of isolation from callers to the National Helpline and DRCC therapy clients during the Covid-19 crisis.
There were 14,159 total contacts to the National Helpline last year, up almost 6% over 2018.
The number of those seeking therapy and counselling from DRCC also grew to 617 clients in 2019.
While 300 people were directly supported in attending the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit following rape or sexual assault.
