Budget provision for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence sector

27 September 2022

2023 PreBudget Submission DRCC in assoc with other RCCs_Sept 2022

Dublin Rape Crisis has welcomed the specific allocation in today’s budget of €9m for the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence sector. Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath announced earlier that the allocation for Justice will support ‘the delivery of an ambitious five-year programme of reform to address service demand and support the establishment of a new statutory agency for domestic, sexual and gender based violence’.

DRCC’s CEO, Noeline Blackwell, said DRCC had called for such provision in its pre-budget submission and that the investment would go some way to address long-term underfunding: “Some of this funding will go to meet the shortfall that currently exists for services, but it is very positive to see specific funding for the new agency laid out in the Third National Strategy.

“Our submission ahead of Budget 2023 highlighted the important work done in our sector and the impact of this funding gap on our work, so we very much welcome the ring-fencing of funds to relieve some of the strain as well as to provide for essential new projects and services,” she commented.

/ENDS

Notes for editors:  

  1. You can download DRCC's pre-budget submission for 2023, made in association with a number of other RCCs - Athlone Midland Rape Crisis Centre, KASA Kilkenny, Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre and Wexford Rape Crisis. 
  2. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape. It offers a suite of services to victims/survivors of sexual violence. It also offers a wide range of training and education to professionals and volunteers.  
    • Information on DRCC’s training programme aimed at those working with young people, BodyRight, can be found here: https://www.drcc.ie/services/education-training/courses/bodyright-facilitator-training-programme/
    • DRCC operates the National 24-hour Helpline1800 778888 to support anyone affected by sexual violence in any part of the country. A webchat support service is available online at drcc.ie Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm. A Helpline Interpreting Service is available for those who do not speak English - more at https://bit.ly/DRCClang
    • For those contacting the Helpline who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443 and we also have a webchat service available Mon-Fri, 10am to 2pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
    • DRCC offers counselling & therapy to adult survivors of sexual violence and to older adolescents from 16 years of age with parental/guardian consent.
    • We provide accompaniment support for the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas, by arrangement.   
    • We have outreach offices at Coolock, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Balbriggan & Tallaght. Access to these services must be arranged via the National Helpline 1800 778888 during working hours, Mon-Fri.  
  3. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists should remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 77 88 88 for anyone who may be affected by the report.