Victims of crime support group paid out €1m last year

NEARLY €1 million was paid out last year by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, its annual report showed yesterday.

A total of €946,125 was distributed to 37 groups, more than half of which was paid out to victims of domestic violence.

Victims of sexual violence and abused children were also among the beneficiaries.

In its annual report, the commission said, in addition to supporting NGOs (non-governmental organisations) with funding, training days were also held. The body is further reviewing its charter for victims.

The commission was set up in 2005 after the collapse of an official support group.

Between 2005 and 2007, up to 56% of funding was allocated to groups helping those recovering or who had suffered domestic violence.

Launching the report yesterday, Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said further plans to increase victim support were under way.

“The commission has also continued with its work on developing a support framework for victims going forward into the future, and I look forward to receiving their proposals in this regard shortly.”

The framework is expected to set out from the victim’s perspective, a description of the criminal justice system, a summary of the role of the main agencies involved and, most importantly, the entitlements of the victim in terms of standards of treatment, rights and complaint procedures.

The commission’s funding last year included €20,000 to Barnardos towards the provision of counselling to children affected by homicide, as well as funds for CARI (Children at risk in Ireland) for the provision of court accompaniment services to children who are victims of sexual abuse.

Following negotiations with gardaí in 2007, the commission also secured accommodation for a service to support families and individuals whose loved one is classed as “missing”.

Missing in Ireland Support Service (MISS) will be allocated space as well as a helpline at Garda Headquarters in Harcourt Street, Dublin.

There were 18 unsuccessful applications for funding for the year. Priority was given to groups providing direct support to victims of crime at ground level, said the commission.

The commission is made up of a number of officials including former Garda Assistant Commissioner Jim McHugh, former justice minister Nora Owen, and the former head of the Probation Service, Sean Lowry.

The commission also supports and promotes the National Crime Victims Helpline (1850 211 407).