Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Pre-budget submission addresses need in six government departments.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has welcomed Oireachtas members back from their summer break with a copy of its pre-budget submission.

In advance of Budget Day on October 9, 2018, the Centre has highlighted the need for six specific government departments to allocate resources to counter sexual violence in Ireland. The departments mentioned are those of the Taoiseach, Finance, Justice, Children & Youth Affairs, Health and Education.

In addition to highlighting the need for funding for therapeutic and accompaniment services run by the Centre, the submission calls for funding for a SAVI survey on the prevalence of sexual violence and for more specialised policing. It calls on the Taoiseach “as an act of leadership” to set aside funding to ensure that all government departments and agencies, and those funded by them, review their own practices and culture to ensure that sexual harassment and abuse is not tolerated.

According to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Noeline Blackwell: “When you look at the impact sexual abuse and harassment is having on our society today, it is obvious that that we are operating in a changed context where to trundle along as we did before just won’t be good enough”.

Ms. Blackwell pointed out that there are practical negative consequences where, what the submission calls the “endemic problem” of sexual violence, is not addressed. She said: “It affects people’s health and their economic wellbeing. It means that people don’t have proper access to justice. It actually affects women disproportionately and means our society is not enjoying the gender equality that it should. And it also means that certain serious crime is not being tackled effectively. We need to build a culture where we prevent sexual violence happening at all and, when it does, that those who suffer it get the support that they are entitled to.”

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Spokesperson:  Noeline Blackwell. 01 6614911

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Editor’s Notes

1. The full text of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Pre-Budget submission can be accessed on the Centre’s website at: www.drcc.ie/get-informed/policy-publications
2. This submission was circulated to all TDs and Senators on 15 September 2018.
3. 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 of sexual violence.  It runs the National 24-hour Helpline for those who need it in any part of the country. It offers face to face therapy and accompaniment to the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas from its offices at Leeson Street. There are outreach offices at Coolock Civic Centre, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Mountjoy Prison and Tallaght Hospital.
4. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists 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 number 1800 77 88 88 for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.