Rape Crisis Centre Report Highlights Barriers for Vulnerable Survivors, 4% Increase in Support in 2025

The Rape Crisis Centre has released a new report detailing the significant challenges faced by survivors of sexual violence, particularly those with heightened vulnerabilities, in disclosing abuse, reporting incidents, and accessing necessary support services.

The report, launched today, highlights that survivors with multiple risk factors—including those related to disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and legal status—encounter compounded barriers. According to the findings, only 35.7% of incidents experienced by survivors facing these compounded barriers were reported to a formal authority in 2025. Furthermore, 26.7% of survivors whose abuse first occurred between the ages of 45 and 64 identified as having a disability.

The Centre noted an increase in client numbers, serving more individuals in 2025 than in 2018, with 40.4% of survivors waiting over 10 years before disclosing their experiences. The report also indicated a 54.5% increase in men and boys accessing counselling in 2025 compared to 2018. Additionally, 18.8% of survivors experienced multiple incidents of sexual violence throughout their lifetime.

In 2025, the Rape Crisis Centre supported 1,285 survivors, marking a 4% increase from 2024. The helpline also responded to over 15,000 contacts, a 15.4% rise from the previous year. The Centre emphasized that unmet needs persist nationwide, with more than one in five survivors delaying disclosure for over a decade.