Support services for victims of crime

Introduction

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.

Crime Victims Helpline

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.

Help when going to 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 (ASSC) provides accompaniment and support to children and their families when children have 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 or 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.

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

Sexual and gender based violence

Rape Crisis Centres provide support to victims of rape and all forms of sexual violence. Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is the representative body for Rape Crisis Centres. You can read a Guide to the legal process for survivors of sexual violence (pdf).

You can find information on the supports and choices available to survivors of sexual violence at rapecrisishelp.ie.

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

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

Families of 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.

Migrant victims of crime

Doras runs a Migrant Victim Support Project for migrants and refugees who have been the victim of a crime.

Help for tourist victims of crime

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.

Contacts

Crime Victims Helpline

Tel: Freephone 116 006

Victim Support at Court (VSAC)

Áras Uí Dhálaigh
Four Courts
Dublin 7

Tel: 01 872 6785

Accompaniment Support Services for Children (ASSC)

Tel: 083 203 0209

Rape Crisis Network Ireland

Carmichael Centre,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7,
D07 RHA8

Tel: 24 Hour Helpline: 1800 778 888

Women's Aid

5 Wilton Place
Dublin 2
Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)1 678 8858
Locall: FreePhone 1800 341 900

Men's Aid Ireland

St Anne's Resource Centre
Railway Street
Navan
Meath
Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)1 554 3811

Doras

Central Buildings

Central Buildings
51A O'Connell Street
Limerick

Tel: 061 310 328

Irish Tourist Assistance Service

6-7 Hanover Street East
Dublin 2
Ireland

Tel: +353 1 661 0562 and 1890 365 700
Fax: +353 1 661 0462

Dignity4Patients

Park Heights
Grange Rath
Drogheda
Co. Meath

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm
Tel: 041-9843730 or 086-1654111 (mobile)

Advocates for Victims of Homicide (AdVIC)

113 Pearse Street
Dublin 2
D02 AV80

Tel: 1800 852 000 or 086 127 2156 (mobile)
Page edited: 16 February 2023