Sexual violence services must be restored to sustainable levels

Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2014

National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today condemned the temporary closure of Mid-West Rape Crisis centre and said that amid huge demand, sexual violence services must be restored to sustainable levels.

Orla O’Connor, Director of National Women’s Council of Ireland said,
“Yesterday’s news that Rape Crisis Mid-West is facing a temporary closure is a worrying, if inevitable development. While experiencing record levels of service demands, Rape Crisis Centres have faced cuts to funding for over six years, with further cuts earmarked.”

Orla O’Connor continued,
“Sexual violence and all gender based violence can be tackled and eliminated, but not without vital frontline services. From 2015 onwards the Irish state will be liable to fines from the EU under the Victims Directive if these services are not in place. Cuts to vital funding are wrong, and do not provide any long term savings or solutions.”

Orla O’ Connor concluded,
“Unless these cuts are reversed and investment in made, the government will continue to fail vulnerable women and children. We urge An Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to show a meaningful commitment to the victims of sexual violence and to take decisive measures to provide adequate protection and support to victims and their children and to end this horrendous crime once and for all.”

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