Jim O'Callaghan announces over €4million in funding for victim support groups

Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, has announced funding for organisations in Ireland that support victims of crime.

More than €4.3 million in funding is being made available, with €3.8 million allocated to ten specialised victim support groups.

These groups include: Victim Support at Court and Crime Victims Helpline, Ruhama; Support After Homicide; Missing in Ireland; Tourist SOS, and the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Doras and Migrants Rights Centre Ireland.

€480,000 is also being allocated for existing Government commitments for training, advocacy and research for victims of crime.

Commenting on the funding, Minister O’Callaghan said: “Reporting a crime can be a traumatic experience for victims and survivors, so it is imperative that those reporting must feel safe and empowered in the knowledge that they will be listened to with compassion, supported and treated with respect throughout.

“Funding is being allocated to partner organisations which provide invaluable emotional and practical assistance, information on victims’ rights, court accompaniment, specialised counselling, helplines, and accompaniment to Garda interviews for those who have experienced traumatic incidents.

“These organisations represent an established component of the State’s victim support infrastructure and obligations. This funding will help to ensure that specialist services are available to victims throughout the State when they need it most.”