Support

Support services for Children

Children at Risk in Ireland “CARI” . Their primary aim is to provide a professional, child centred therapy and counselling service to children, families and groups who have been affected by child sexual abuse. They also provide a telephone helpline service on 1890-924567.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISSPCC) exists to: Ensure children have a happy safe childhood; Prevent children from suffering harm, trauma or abuse;Help children who have suffered cruelty or trauma; Seek to ensure children are accorded equal rights as citizens.

Services include Childline, a 24 hour national freephone helpline for children on 1800 666 666.

Barnardos is Ireland’s leading children’s charity. We work with over 12,000 children and families each year throughout Ireland. Barnardos is committed to the best interests of children and young people in Ireland, promoting and respecting their rights in all of our work.  Contact Barnardos National Office on Callsave 1850 222 300.

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Support services for Adults

Towards Healing is a counselling and support service for survivors of Institutional, Clerical and Religious abuse, funded by the Catholic Church. If you have suffered in this way, Towards Healing will provide services to you no matter where you are currently living. From the Republic of Ireland call FreeFone 1800 303 416 or from Northern Ireland or UK call 0800 096 3315.

Towards Peace is a spiritual support service for anybody who has been abused, physically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually, in a religious/Catholic Church environment in Ireland.  Tel: 01 505 3028 or 086 7710533 (Monday and Tuesday 9am to 4pm, Wednesday 9am – 12 noon).

One in Four offers a voice to and support to men and women who have experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual violence,  they can be contacted on 01 6624070.

Rape Crisis Centres are voluntary organisations which provide a comprehensive therapy programme for victims of rape and sexual abuse. They also offer a confidential listening and support service for women and men who have been raped and/or sexually abused, or for anyone who wants to talk about the effects of sexual violence.  For the National 24 hour helpline call FreeFone 1800 778 888.

The Samaritans  are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Full contact details for the Irish Branch can be found here.

Crime Victims Helpline is a National Helpline which offers support to victims of crime in Ireland.

The National Counselling Service is a community based service for adults who were hurt by childhood abuse in Ireland. There is a service set up in each Health Board Area. Details of your local National Counselling Service FreeFone numbers can be found here.

Public Service information for Ireland can be found on the Citizens Information website.

Information related to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Ireland can be found at Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions . It contains useful information such as the “Role of the DPP” and “Attending Court as a Witness” in downloadable PDF Booklets.

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Other Services run by the Catholic Church in Ireland

Irish Catholic Bishops website has information on the Irish Episcopal Conference, its departments and its members. It also provides a list of dioceses in Ireland, publications (under a range of headings), media centre (press releases, audio/visual files, calendar of events); archive of feature articles, and daily Mass and Sunday Mass readings.