THE NUMBER of people affected by rape who have reached out for help from a city charity has soared by more than 170% in the last four years.


Glasgow Rape Crisis has seen a surge in the number of phone calls they have received from rape victims and their families since 2011. 


As previously reported in the Evening Times, the centre received 2142 calls between April 2011 and March 2012, a monthly average of around 180 calls. 


But in just seven months this year, between April and October, they have already been contacted 3448 times over the phone by people looking for help - an average of almost 500 calls a month.


In the same period they have held 1788 appointments with rape victims and their families or friends, and seen 184 people at drop in sessions. 


Victims reported not only experiencing sexual violence but also ritualistic abuse, torture, and psychological and physical abuse from their perpetrators. 


The figures come as the charity gets ready to host its annual Reclaim the Night march this evening, which will see hundreds of people walk through the west end to protest against sexual violence.


Isabelle Kerr, centre manager, said the organisation is under increasing pressure to help everyone in need and is struggling to cope with the limited resources it has. 


She added that there has been an increased number of young women coming to the centre for help, and the improved links with Police Scotland and changes in legislation have all contributed to the surge in people contacting the organisation.


Isabelle said: “We really struggle to meet demand, and that’s not going away. We are struggling because we don’t have the resources. 


“Due to the very nature of sexual violence, we can’t say whether there is an increase in the number of incidents but survivors do feel more confident seeking support and speaking out now about it. 
“That in itself is another reason why the numbers are increasing.” 


A growing number of teenagers and young women are also coming to the organisation for support, after Rape Crisis Scotland received funding from Children in Need for a specialised project for children over the age of 13.


“You open the door and there’s a young woman standing there in her school uniform...That’s a hard thing for us to see.” said Isabelle.


She added: “We’re so glad though that we can do something about that and offer support, one to one and superb group work with young women, and we’re lucky to have skilled workers doing that particular project.


“All of that is coming together to mean we’ve got these big jumps in our numbers over the past three years, we have seen a significant rise in people contacting us.


“One of the issues for survivors of sexual violence is that they are so often silenced, by society, by their perpetrators, and don’t often get the chance to see justice done and have their voices heard. 


“That can be seen by the relatively low conviction rates over the years. We want to make sure sexual violence remains on the agenda, and try to take away some of the shame and blame that often surrounds sexual violence survivors. 


“Women do often blame themselves for the abuse against them, because they are blamed by society and the perpetrator becomes invisible. 


Along with helping victims of rape and sexual violence with counselling, and navigating the judicial system, the centre also offers support to family members and partners of victims.


Groups of between eight and 10 relatives meet several times a year and are given help on how best to support victims or rape, as well as receive support themselves. 


Earlier this year the Scottish Government pledged an additional £1.85million to help victims of sex crimes, with Rape Crisis Scotland being given cash to fund dedicated local services in more remote areas of Scotland.


The additional cash is also being used to help fund a National Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator, as well as give extra help for victims going through the justice system. 


For further information visit www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk, or to donate to Glasgow Rape Crisis visit www.rapecrisiscentre-glasgow.co.uk/content/donate/