Pandemic marks rise in Galway sex assaults

Instances of sexual violence and rape have increased sharply in Galway city and county during the ongoing Covid-19 health pandemic, new figures obtained by The Connacht Tribune confirm.

Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC) has dealt with almost 25% more new clients during the Coronavirus lockdown than in the same period last year.

Thirty-two new victims or survivors of rape and sexual assault sought counselling services and support from the Centre in March and April, while the country was in ‘lockdown’.

That compares with 26 new clients, who contacted the Centre during March and April in 2019 – representing a like-for-like increase of just over 23%.

During March and April this year, some 168 clients sought ongoing support and counselling from GRCC for sexual abuse, sexual violence, rape, sexual harassment and historic child sexual abuse.

That was up by 9%, or 14 more clients, compared with those two months in 2019.

All of this comes as the GRCC prepares to move its base, conditional on planning permission being granted by Galway City Council in July, which would allow the organisation to return to its Claddagh roots at Claddagh Quay, overlooking the Claddagh Basin opposite Long Walk.

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