The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has warned that young people are “lost” when it comes to sexual consent.

Releasing its annual report this morning, the voluntary organisation warned that more people contacted the centre for help last year than ever before.

Volunteers recorded over 13,000 contacts from victims of rape and sexual violence – including 12,400 calls to its National 24-Hour Helpline.

Speaking at the launch of the report this morning, DRCC chief executive Noeline Blackwell warned that there is a real need for greater education regarding sexual consent:

“Young people are lost,” she said. “They don’t know what to do and it is true that the students we talk to, the young people we talk to, are not that clear on the boundaries around sexual activity.”

There was a 24% increase in calls to centre last year when compared to 2015 – with approximately half of those calls coming from people reaching out for help for the first time.

The organisation’s chairperson Ann Marie Gill said the sexual assaults reported are becoming increasingly more violent.

“We are basing our responses to sexual violence on the clients stories that present to us,” she said.

“What their experience has been - and as I said it is becoming more violent.

“We are also aware that social media is playing a huge influence in sexual violence.”

If you have been affected by anything mentioned in this article you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre National 24-Hour helpline on 1800 77 88 88.