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€4.6m for groups that support crime victims

The Department of Justice has given details of how €4.6 million of funding for organisations that support victims of crime will be allocated this year.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that the total represented an increase of 20% from the 2021 figure.

Budget 2022 allocated €4.9 million to the department specifically for victims of crime. The department says that other projects will be funded later in the year.

Ruhama receives €705,000

The allocations cover national organisations – such as Barnardos, Women’s Aid and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre – and a range of local groups.

Specialist organisations – including the Irish Tourist Assistance Service and Dignity 4 Patients – will also receive funding.

The biggest allocation – just over €705,000 – went to Ruhama, which offers support to women impacted by prostitution, sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

One in Four received just under €342,000, while the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre was allocated €300,000.

‘Victim-centred’ system

“I am working to build a victim-centred criminal justice system, where victims know they will be treated with respect and dignity when they come forward to report what happened to them,” said the minister, who added that a fear of the system should never stop a victim seeking justice.

Late last year, the department invited applications for funding from registered charities, community groups, and other organisations that provide services – or plan to provide services – to support victims in the criminal justice system.

This week, the department held its first Victims’ Forum, which was aimed at exchanging information on how victims’ rights could be improved.