Six women became pregnant after being raped last year. 2013 was one of the busiest years for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), and it is now pleading for more government funding to help victims of sex crimes.
Not since the publication of the 2009 reports into clerical sex abuse have the phone lines in the DRCC been so busy.
Over 12,000 calls were handled there last year. Six of the women who picked up the phone became pregnant by their rapist.
Four of those kept the babies, one woman had an abortion and the other child was given up for adoption.
Angela McCarthy, head of clinical services at the DRCC, says they do not tell victims what they should do in these situations.
Money may be tight but there is always someone on the end of the line at the DRCC. The number for their national 24 hour helpline is 1800-77-88-88.
Almost a quarter of calls to the centre last year were made by men.
Less than half of the male victims who came forward availed of counseling services.
But head of the DRCC Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop says it is encouraging they are picking up the phone.
