Note: Impact of Covid-19 on DRCC Services
12 March 2020
The Impact of Covid-19 on Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Services
Based on the advice of Government with regards to the Covid-19 epidemic, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is adjusting to maintain service to clients and other users of our services as best we can, while observing best practice to combat infection. We are adjusting how we deliver our services during the crisis. We ask for your cooperation during this time.
Helpline: The National 24-Hour Freephone Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 77 88 88 is open for those who need to access crisis counselling and support.
New resource: For those who are feeling overwhelmed or triggered, especially in this crisis, please have a look at our collection of grounding techniques to help you find calm. Particularly with regular practice, these can be extremely effective.
Counselling and therapy:
- If you are an existing client of DRCC: Your therapist has already or will shortly be in touch with you to discuss arrangements. If you have not had a call from your therapist and you are due to call in soon, please contact counselling@rcc.ie.
- If you are hoping to arrange an appointment as a new client: Please e-mail us at counselling@rcc.ie and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Accompaniment:
- If you have arranged DRCC accompaniment services for attending court or Garda station appointments during the crisis period, somebody has already been in contact with you or will be shortly. You should contact our helpline during office hours to discuss accompaniment needs.
- We are not in a position to provide physical accompaniment services to those attending the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the Rotunda Hospital. If you need help, please contact the helpline 1800 778888.
Education & Training: All education and training sessions have been cancelled during the crisis period. Those scheduled to attend have been contacted. If you have any enquiry about future education or training, please contact etadmin@rcc.ie
Volunteers: Training for new volunteers is being suspended and revised arrangements will be made whenever possible. All volunteers will be mailed as soon as possible but if volunteers have a query, then please send it to volunteerservices@rcc.ie.
Other services and office visits: Our offices are closed in order to protect the health and wellbeing of staff and clients. We ask that anyone wishing to discuss any matter with a staff member to contact us at 01-661 4911 or e-mail info@rcc.ie.
Please see https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html for information on the virus and its effects.
Funding: This crisis is impacting DRCC’s income, because fundraising events, training sessions and the like cannot take place. If anyone has the capacity to support us financially, we would be very grateful for whatever donation they can make online at https://mysplink.com/drcc/ or by texting DRCC to 50300 to donate €4.00. (Text donations cost €4.00 – The DRCC will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278.)
While services are adjusted, we in DRCC are still working and will be accessible on phone and e-mail during this period. We continue to do all in our power to advance our mission of preventing the harm and healing the trauma of rape and other sexual violence. Please keep an eye on our website and follow us on social channels to stay updated.
