Support services for victims of crime

If you or someone close to you has been a victim of crime, you can contact an organisation for support. You can get emotional and practical support and information about your rights as a victim. These organisations also raise public awareness about victim issues.

This page has information about some of the services that are available.

You can also learn more about your rights as a victim of crime on the Victims Charter website.

The Crime Victims Helpline provides a confidential listening and support service for victims of crime, no matter when the crime happened. It also provides information about your rights and specialist services for victims of particular crimes like domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape.

Victim Support at Court

Victim Support at Court (VSAC) offers information and support for victims of crime, their families and witnesses. It provides information about what to expect in court and can bring you to visit the courtroom before the trial. It then offers help and support during the trial process, including attending the court with you.

Accompaniment Support Services for Children

Accompaniment Support Services for Children (ASSC) will support and go with children and their families when a child has to give evidence in a criminal trial in Dublin.

The ASSC can also accompany children and their families to forensic examinations at:

• The Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service in Galway
• The Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Dublin

It also offers an Aftercare Support Service to adults who are involved in supporting a child through the forensic process.

Other accompaniment services

Women’s Aid, Men’s Aid and some Rape Crisis Centres (see ‘Sexual and gender based violence’ below) also offer court accompaniment services.

Rape Crisis Centres

The National Sexual Violence Helpline (also known as the National Rape Crisis Helpline) offers a free, confidential listening and support service for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Advice and referral to other services will also be provided.

Support is available in more than 240 languages through the helpline interpreting service.

• National Sexual Violence Helpline: 1800 778 888, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Helpline interpreting service: 1800 778 888, available Monday – Friday, 8am – 6.30pm
• Text service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing: 086 823 8443, available Monday – Friday, 8am – 6.30pm
• Online webchat on the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre website, available Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, and also from midnight to 3am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Rape Crisis Help website with information for victims of sexual violence and a list of local Rape Crisis Centres

Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence is an online guide to the options and supports available after rape, sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. The guide has information on accessing a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, reporting to the Gardaí, and where to go for help.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is the representative body for some Rape Crisis Centres. You can read a guide to the legal process for survivors of sexual violence (pdf).

Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid provides information and support services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. These supports include a 24-hour helpline (Freephone 1800 341 900) and a court accompaniment service.

Men’s Aid

Men's Aid provides a confidential helpline (01 5543811), a support service and information for male victims of domestic abuse.

Dignity4Patients

Dignity4Patients provides support, advocacy and information to patients who have suffered trauma or sexual abuse in any medical setting.

Advocates for Victims of Homicide

Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVIC) provides support for families and friends of victims of murder or manslaughter.

It provides information and assistance and can refer you to appropriate specialist services. It also provides a counselling service nationwide and runs bereavement support groups in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

Doras

Doras runs a Migrant Victim Support Project for migrants and refugees who have been victims of crime. You can contact them on 083 0086391 or by email at mvs@doras.org.

Rape Crisis Centres

If you need assistance in another language, the National Sexual Violence Helpline offers support in 240 languages through its helpline interpreting service.

Irish Tourist Assistance Service

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) provides support and assistance for visitors to Ireland who are victims of crime.

It can help you to access emergency travel documents, make travel arrangements, contact family and friends, and liaise with the Gardaí and other agencies.