Crime victims the real losers in service cut

MY wife is a volunteer with the Court Support Service. She and 12 others help victims of murder, rape and serious assault.

Now the service has been withdrawn at the expense of the victims for whom it was provided.

It is an extraordinary situation that this has been allowed to happen and no one appears to be trying to resolve it.

In the meantime, the victims have to face an intimidating environment without support and the cumulative experience of 13 volunteers built up with careful empathy for victims’ needs is lost to whom? The victims.

What is the board of the Court Support Service doing to resolve the issue? Suspend the service because of corporate governance issues? Or because of some concerns expressed by the volunteers which they wish to resolve with the board?

The volunteers did not withdraw their services – the board suspended the services.

Could I suggest that all parties get around a table and resolve the issue, which is one of the functions of an operating board.

By the way, there are no winners here, only losers – the victims.

Alan Ashe

Woodbine Road

Blackrock

Co Dublin