The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre recorded the highest-ever number of calls for help in its 45-year history last year.
More than 18,600 contacts were made to the organisation's national helpline in 2023.
The largest groups of callers were made up of women, first-time callers and those aged between 18 and 29.
The largest proportion of people contacting the helpline wanted to discuss rape that had occurred as an adult (four in 10), followed by childhood sexual abuse (one in three), and sexual assault as an adult (one in six).
Continuing a trend of recent years, many callers also had mental health concerns.
The DRCC said there were spikes in the number of calls recorded in April, August and towards the end of the year.
Helpline support workers also noted more callers expressing worry about homelessness and other concerns that compounded the trauma caused by sexual violence.
'Worrying trends'
DRCC Chief Executive Rachel Morrogh said the network’s services are more important than ever.
"The data published today is evidence that the services of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are vital supports for people who have experienced sexual violence and that these are needed by the community of survivors more than ever before," she said.
"The report also points to some worrying trends that indicate considerable mental health needs amongst people affected by sexual violence.
"Issues that affect the wider population such as homelessness, family breakdowns and conflict, are compounding the mental health needs of our clients.
"Added to this is a regularly reinforced message from callers that they have slipped through the cracks of an already overburdened mental health system," she added.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the scale of the contacts underlines "the challenge that collectively we face, but also indicates that people are increasingly seeking support."
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800 77 8888
