THE number of women in Glasgow receiving counselling for sex attacks has risen by more than 60%.

Initial calls from women have also surged by a third, fuelled by an increase in media coverage of incidents involving celebrities, says the head of the city's Rape Crisis centre.

From April 2012 to March 31 this year the centre took 3188 calls, against 2142 for the 12 months from April 2011.

The number of women receiving continuing support increased from 332 to 542, up 63%.

Isabelle Kerr, manager of the Glasgow charity, said women seeking support had said workplace discussions about celebrity incidents had brought their trauma back.

She said: "What women are saying is they feel a bit overcome by it. That there is no place to hide in a way, it is everywhere.

"It is difficult for them to speak about it. They are worried they might react emotionally at work.

"There has been a much greater need for our services.

"We are not necessarily saying more rapes are taking place, but women are feeling they are able to talk about it a bit more."

It comes following widespread media coverage of charges against TV presenter Stuart Hall and the sexual scandal over Jimmy Savile.

Almost a third of all calls taken by Rape Crisis are about historical incidents of rape or sexual assault.

The charity has launched a new free helpline to help widen access to support following an increase in the number of women calling it from mobile phones.

It has also increased drop-in provision, with a Wednesday added to its evening services.

Ms Kerr said: "We always have a significant amount of survivors of historical abuse calling us. Some may want to go down that route (prosecution) whilst others just want to talk about it.

"We have launched the new helpline to help remove any barriers to support. We recognised people are contacting us in different ways.

"More women, particularly young women, are using mobile phones and they might not have enough credit to make that call.

"We have also seen an increase in numbers contacting us by e-mail or text."

The new Rape Crisis helpline number is 08088 000014. Calls made to the old number (0141 552 3200) will be re-directed and also be free while it is still active.

The Rape Crisis Centre helpline is open every day 11am-2pm. It is also open Monday-Thursday 5.30am- 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, detectives hunting the men who raped a woman in a lane off Torrisdale Street, in Glasgow's South Side, are trying to trace a key witness.

They want to speak to a man known to have travelled on a 38A bus from Jamaica Street, in the city centre, to Pollokshaws Road, near Queen's Drive, at about 11.10pm on Saturday, April 13.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk