The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomes the results of the Children’s Referendum

In 2011 there were over 11,000 contacts to the National 24 hour Helpline 1800 77 8888. More than half of these contacts were from people who were raped and/or sexually assaulted as children.

 

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive DRCC said: “There’s been a quiet relief and delight expressed by the people who contact and use the services of the DRCC that the 31st Amendment to the Constitution has been passed by the people of Ireland.  Having an article entitled “Children” is symbolically very important to people who as adults have been able to tell their horrendous stories of devastated and lost childhoods because of sexual abuse that mainly happened in their homes. For them there is a real comfort in the knowledge that the future children of Ireland, because of the constitutional changes, will be safer and will be able to have their childhoods.

Since 2006 the DRCC has been lobbying with other NGOs for the inclusion of the rights of the child in the Constitution. Now that the referendum has been passed we urge the Government to support the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald in delivering the all important legislation and the new Child and Family Support Agency. This is not a time to cut funding for the essential services for children and families and for victims of child sex abuse.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive,    DRCC          01 661 4911 / 086 809 9618