Support services for victims of crime
- Introduction
- Crime Victims Helpline
- Help when going to court
- Sexual and gender based violence
- Families of victims of homicide
- Migrant victims of crime
- Help for tourist victims of crime
- Contacts
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