Rape crisis centre needs cash to sustain services

AN appeal has been launched to raise badly funds so that the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, in Tralee, can sustain essential services.

This year, the centre faces an operating deficit of €30,000 as funding from the Southern Health Board does not reflect inflationary pressures, or the funding of the new sexual assault unit at Tralee General Hospital, according to the centre co-ordinator Vera O’Leary.

The full range of services provided by the centre costs in the region of €200,000 per annum. Ms O’Leary said there was a particular need to ensure funding for the newly-established assault unit.