The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
RAPE Crisis Midwest has seen an increase of more than 50% in helpline contacts since the start of the pandemic, as it struggles to make up a funding shortfall of around three-quarters. Fundraising Manager, Verena Tarpey told The Champion that many of the calls since March relate to abuse experienced decades ago, and that the lockdown may have triggered painful childhood experiences for some. “There’s no doubt that, particularly during the first lockdown when people were at home with their kids, there may have been triggers for them,” she said. “People also had time to reflect and to take stock. We saw a marked increase in calls to our centre during lockdown. Between March 1 and September 30, there was an increase of approximately 54% in helpline contacts when compared to the same period in 2019. There was also a significant increase in contact from particular age groups in the Midwest with a spike from those in the 24-29 and …
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