The DRCC welcomes announcement of increased funding for Ireland’s 16 Rape Crisis Centres

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has welcomed Minister Katherine Zappone’s announcement that the country’s 16 Rape Crisis Centres are to receive increased funding for their services for victims/ survivors of sexual violence.

In the case of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, this is an increase of €130,000.  CEO Noeline Blackwell said: “This increase will allow us to provide additional resources for people who are waiting too long for therapy and counselling. There has been a significant increase in the numbers seeking our help, up from about 150 a year ago to 200 now. The real problem is that they are waiting too long and we didn’t have the funding to get extra help. We hopefully will be able to do that now.”

Ms. Blackwell also welcomed the Minister’s commitment to supporting frontline services which work against sexual violence and domestic violence. She said “It is encouraging that the Minister and the Government recognise the need to further support the victims of intimate violence, whether that is sexual or domestic, as this is a problem which can too often and too easily stay hidden.” She said that tackling sexual violence was one of the urgent challenges of our society which required government as well as society to take action.

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Editors notes:

1. This statement is issued in response to a press release from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on 25 April 2019.
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 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.
3. 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.