Seventeen women have so far this year called at hospitals or clinics seeking treatment after having been raped, according to information given in Parliament.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said there were 23 cases in the whole of last year, 25 in 2008, 23 in 2007 and 27 in 2006.

There were 31 cases in the year 2000, the highest in the past 10 years.

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