Legal system accompaniment

Information and Support

DRCC’s justice accompaniment service offers information, support and accompaniment to any person making a statement in relation to sexual violence or attending a court case. The service can provide victims/survivors and their supporters with practical and emotional support at any stage of the process. 

You can learn more about the legal process for crimes of sexual violence on our reporting pathway page.

  • We offer practical information and support, as well as guidance on what to expect when reporting a rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse to the Gardaí. 
  • We offer information and support to those attending court as a witness. 
  • The service also offers information and support around decisions by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute as well as sentencing, victim impact statements, and what to expect after a court case. 

It is important to remember that a person using accompaniment services can also avail of other supports from DRCC, such as the National Helpline and one-to-one counselling.

“When I think back to having to give my evidence, I was feeling panicky and overwhelmed...I couldn't think straight. [The DRCC volunteer] just brought me through the simple things... I felt safe with her.”

DRCC accompaniment service client

Court accompaniment

This service provides support to victims attending court in relation to crimes of sexual violence. We provide accompaniment to the Court of Criminal Justice (CCJ) and the Four Courts as well as to any District Court or Circuit Court in the greater Dublin Area. We also offer a court familiarisation service that allows the victim to see the courtroom prior to their case commencing, in order to become familiar with the workings of the courtroom and the trial process.   

Garda station accompaniment  

This service offers accompaniment for victims who are making a statement to the Gardaí in relation to sexual violence, whether it happened recently or in the past.   

Learning more

To find out more about our accompaniment service, please call the National Helpline 1800 77 8888 during office hours or e-mail counselling@rcc.ie. 

Minors and accompaniment

Our service is intended for adults over 18 years. Nonetheless, from time to time the DRCC may accompany a minor aged under 18, but not younger than 16 years old, to court or to a Garda station. You can read our Child Safeguarding Statement on our governance page.