Donegal Rape Crisis Centre to benefit from 10% funding increase

Frontline services in Donegal combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are to receive funding of €253,000 to support their services this year.

A 10% increase in funding will be allocated to the Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre as part of a €1.5M in extra support for services nationally this year.

The Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre provides counselling, support and advice to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. The voluntary group offers free support and an outreach service to victims and their families.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone confirmed the €1.5m funding for Irish sexual violence services today to allow for a number of new initiatives.

The Donegal SARCC centre is one of 16 organisations combating sexual violence to receive a 10% increase in core funding. The funding increase is also intended to support the provision of outreach workers in regions which have been identified as having a shortfall in domestic violence services.

Nationally, the extra funding will allow for the roll out of a 12 week healing programme for children who have been impacted by domestic abuse which also helps parents/guardians to understand their child’s experiences and support their recovery. It will also fund an initiative to reduce the waiting times for counselling for victims of sexual violence.

Evelyn Sweeney, the Fine Gael candidate in Glenties Electoral Area, welcomed the funding and said: “The Government ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence on March 8th which is International Women’s Day.

“The Convention creates a legal framework and approach to combat violence against women and is focused on preventing domestic violence, protecting victims and prosecuting accused offenders.

“I am pleased to see the Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre receive increased funding of €253,000 this year to continue its vital work. This is an increase on last year and an increase on the €168,000 funding in 2017.”