Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop Chief Executive of the DRCC said : “ The past 10 years has seen the publication of the Ferns, Ryan, Murphy and Cloyne reports, all of which have validated the stories that have been told and heard in therapy rooms throughout the country. For the survivors of these heinous crimes the public acknowledgment of their stories has been very important and has helped so many on their journeys to healing.

The fact that:
We now have a Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald, who sits at the Cabinet Table equally with other Ministers
The fact that:
Children First Guidance is to be put on a statutory basis
The fact that:
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has brought forward the Heads of Bill for Withholding of Information with regard to Child Sex Abuse, all augur well for the preservation of childhood for the future children of Ireland.

However while shock and horror are expressed every time another revelation about the cover up of child sex abuse in Ireland in Church and State Institutions is headlined in our newspapers, on radio and television, very little thought is given to the consequences to the many survivors who are reading, listening to and looking at, these further revelations. Each time these crimes hit the headlines many more survivors have their memories triggered of abuse they suffered in their childhood and may be re-traumatised as a result and are in need of help and support.

The media has shown great courage in how it has continued to highlight these atrocities however it can fall short in providing the helplines that are available to listen, support and guide callers to the professional help that is available. To all editors and journalists please include the helplines and alert the National 24 hour helpline for victims of rape and survivors of child sex abuse, 1 800 77 88 88 when you are about to break another of these stories, so that we can provide the extra support that is needed at these very fraught and painful times for victims and survivors.

Each time child sex abuse is brought into the public domain the calls to the National Helpline escalates.”

ENDS

We’ve just started a new Campaign for Regular Giving.  You can contact us at anytime to set up a Standing Order to make a monthly donation. We will send you a form for completion which you forward to your bank.  If at any time you wish to amend or cancel your gift,  just contact your bank to make the changes.

The advantage to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre with this is that it allows you to give a gift to us on a regular basis which means stable and reliable funding. The monthly donation can be as much as you like, but ideally a gift of €21 per month is eligible of PAYE Tax Relief making it more valuable to us.

Your support of Regular Giving would be greatly appreciated and enable us to continue our vital sevices to those who seek our help. All money raised by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre goes towards maintaining our counselling and therapy services for men and women who have experienced rape, sexual assault and past child sexual abuse.  If you would like a copy of our Regular Giving form please email fundraising@rcc.ie or contact us by phone on 01 6614911.

The DRCC commends Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter for implementing a very important recommendation of the Ryan Report.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive of DRCC said : “The Ryan Report, which was published in 2009 and validated the stories of so many adult victims of child abuse, recommended that Children First Guidelines should be uniformly and consistently implemented throughout the State in dealing with allegations of abuse. The Heads of the Children First Bill was published today by Minister Fitzgerald for consultation, so that the National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children will be put on a statutory basis. Minister Shatter’s bill further strengthens child protection in closing the loophole in the 1998 Offences Against the State Act which provides for an offence of withholding information in relation to serious offences but which excludes sexual offences. The new bill will ensure that there is an obligation on persons who have knowledge of any serious offence including sexual offences against children and vulnerable adults, to inform the Gardai.

Both these Bills will go a long way to ensuring that children and vulnerable adults in the future will not have to suffer the atrocities documented in the many reports published over the years, in particular the Ferns, Ryan, Murphy and Cloyne reports of the past decade. “

                                                                         Ends

TIME   9.30am – 4.30pm

VENUE  The Sheraton Hotel, Athlone

With the support of funding from the European Refugee Fund, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offers a 4 day training programme for staff working in supportive roles with clients who are asylum seekers and refugees and with their children. 

This training programme will focus on offering support to adult clients and on supporting children of parents who have experienced trauma.

The course programme:
• Sexual violence as a global issue
• The impact of societal and cultural attitudes and beliefs on people who have experienced sexual violence
• An understanding of the impact of sexual violence and other trauma and how this may affect the person on a daily basis
• Additional issues and traumas which may be relevant to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Facilitating appropriate disclosure of traumatic experiences and preventing re-traumatisation
• Strategies for dealing with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• The impact of trauma on both the parent and the family
• Attachment and Attunement in the parent- child relationship: The Impact of Trauma
• The impact of trauma on the major developmental tasks for the child
• Child Protection Issues including Female Genital Mutilation
• Supporting the child impacted by trauma within the school or childcare setting
• Identifying and developing the resources of the client
• Vicarious traumatisation and the impact of working with those who have experienced sexual violence and other trauma
• Strategies for self care for staff members

The training approach is participative and experiential and will include lecture, group discussion, video footage, role play and case study.  Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of existing skills, as well as developing new areas of competence. 

 Download an application form

The DRCC invites appropriate youth work and second level school staff to attend a training programme which will equip them to facilitate the BodyRight programme with young people
 Tues 1st and Wed 2nd May and Tue 29th and Wed 30th May 2012

Venue: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

Time: 9.30 am to 4.00 pm
The fee for this 4 day training programme is €220 which is a subsidised rate

The BodyRight  programme is supported by funding provided by Cosc The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
 
 
BodyRight: 
A Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Programme for Young People

DRCC is offering a four day Training Programme to Youthworkers, Youthreach staff and  second level school staff to equip them to facilitate the BodyRight  programme.

The training programme for facilitators includes
• understanding sexual violence and its impact
• working sensitively with young people on these issues
• dealing with and containing any issues that may arise
• using mindful self awareness with young people
• the content, methodology and delivery of the BodyRight    programme. 

This training is participative and experiential. It is expected that it will also be relevant to other aspects of participants’ roles in their schools or other settings.
Participants will be offered support and mentoring from the DRCC as they begin to deliver the programme in their own school or youth work setting.

The BodyRight programme
The purpose of the BodyRight programme is to raise awareness as to what constitutes sexual violence, to educate young people concerning the facts, the law, the meaning and legal implications of consent and the impact of sexual violence.  It provides a space where young people can, in a non-threatening environment, examine their own and others’ attitudes and behaviours with regard to sexual violence and explore how these attitudes affect the person who experiences sexual violence. 

The programme aims to empower young people to stay safer by increasing their awareness and understanding, and by equipping them with skills to help them make their own decisions and to hold their position.  It offers them information on supports available to any young person who has experienced any form of sexual violence.

BodyRight  may be delivered only by facilitators who have attended this training.  DRCC recommends that the programme is delivered by two facilitators one of whom  must have attended this training with DRCC.  The BodyRight  programme is intended to be used as an integrated part of or a follow on to a wider relationships and sexuality training programme already being facilitated in the school or youth work setting.

If you would like to attend this training programme please forward the application form below.

If you would like to discuss the training programme or request further information about BodyRight, please contact us.

Contact details

The Education Department, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Lr Leeson Street, Dublin 2
Email:    leonie@rcc.ie

Telephone:  01 6614911 and ask for Leonie O’Dowd or Karen Tilly
BodyRight
A Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention programme for Young People

The DRCC invites appropriate youth work and second level school staff to attend a training programme which will equip them to facilitate the BodyRight programme to young people

Tues 1st and Wed 2nd May and Tue 29th and Wed 30th May 2012

Venue: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

Time: 9.30 am to 4.00 pm

The fee for this 4 day training programme is €220 which is a subsidised rate
Teas/coffees will be provided, and will be available on arrival. 
PARTICIPANT DETAILS

Name_______________________________________________________________

Role_________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________

_____________________________________email___________________________

Phone:  work________________home________________mobile_____________

Do you have any special requirements re facilities?_________________________

I enclose Fee of €220           
or
Please send invoice for fee to:

Due to the participative nature of this course, numbers are limited.  It is advisable to book a place as early as possible.

For further information contact Leonie O’Dowd or Karen Tilly at 01 6614911 or email etadmin@rcc.ie

Please click on the following link to our new Twitter page to see the photograph and while there maybe you can start following us!!

https://twitter.com/#!/DublinRCC/media/grid

https://twitter.com/#!/DublinRCC

L to R Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop (CEO, DRCC), Orla O’Connor (Acting CEO, NWCI), Mrs Sabina Higgins, President Michael D. Higgins, Clare Tracey (Chairperson NWCI) and Eoin Murray (Women’s Equality in Politics, NWCI)

On behalf of the many first time callers who, on the foot of Lorraine’s courage, phoned the National 24 Hour Helpline 1 800 77 8888 today to avail of the support, advice and help that is there for victims of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, we thank her. They have taken the first step in their recovery because of Lorraine Mulvey’s  bravery in showing us how she has been helped, healed and now has closure, on what was a life of having to mask her true self.  What we have seen on the steps of the Central Criminal Court is indeed a courageous and generous woman. “

• Always look out for each other and be part of a group
• Try not to get separated from your group
• Keep your drink in your hand at all times
• Do not accept a drink from someone you have just met even if he/she is a friend of a friend
• Ask someone you know and trust, to mind your drink if you have to leave it down for some reason
• Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable in a place or with someone, leave as soon as possible
• If you begin to feel really drunk after only a drink or two, seek help from a person you trust
• Nominate a Designated Minder for each group of 6
• Share Taxis with friends and plan your journey to and from home
• Make sure your mobile is charged at all times and keep the helpline free phone number
1800 77 88 88 stored in it
• If you have to travel alone, make sure you phone ahead to where you are going and give your estimated time of arrival. Make sure your driver hears you phoning ahead
• Remember 8 out of 10 victims are raped by someone known to them

Some facts to keep in mind this St. Patrick’s Weekend

• The legal age of consent for having sex is 17
• Under current Irish Law a person is guilty of raping another person, if they are reckless in their decision to pursue sexual contact without that person’s consent
• If a person has sex with another person without their consent it is a crime
• A person may not give their consent freely if they are asleep, are unconscious or severely impaired due to alcohol, are mentally impaired , are under 17 or have been coerced in any other way that is deemed to be reckless
• When a person is taken advantage of in any of these circumstances whereby they have not given their consent freely, they suffer the huge trauma of the effects of being raped
Steps to be taken in the event of a rape or sexual assault:
• Call the National 24 hour Helpline if you need the help of a Rape Crisis Centre for a recent rape or childhood sexual abuse,
• If you are a family member or a friend and don’t know what to do when someone close to you has disclosed that they have been raped or sexually assaulted call this number and you will get the help you need
• Contact your parents or Guardian or a friend
• You may choose to report the incident to the Gardai
• Get the medical support you need

Our aim is to offer a safe and confidential space where women and men of all ages can be listened to and supported without shame or self-blame

VENUE Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 70 Lower Leeson St, Dublin 2.

This one day introductory workshop is for those who come into contact in their work with people who have experienced rape and who want to increase their understanding of the impact of rape and their ability to offer support in its aftermath.

Comprehensive written notes are provided with this training programme to support the learning and to act as an ongoing resource

The fee for this Workshop is €95

Teas/coffees are provided.  (Lunch is not included) 

Please complete a separate application form for each participant:

PARTICIPANT DETAILS

Name_______________________________________________________________

Occupation/Role______________________________________________________

Work Address________________________________________________________

_____________________________________email___________________________

Phone:work________________(home)________________mobile_____________

Do you have any special requirements re facilities?_________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

I enclose the full fee of €95  

Please send invoice for fee to: _____________________________________________________________________   
Due to the participative nature of this course, numbers are limited.  It is advisable to book a place as early as possible. For further information contact Leonie O’Dowd  or Jane Baird at 01 6614911 or email etadmin@rcc.ie

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop Chief Executive of DRCC said: “Last year there were 1,784 calls to the National 24 hour helpline for rape and sexual abuse, during December and January. In October this year 31 people were accompanied to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in the Rotunda by DRCC trained volunteers. These figures are very worrying. We know that the levels of Domestic and Sexual Violence escalate during recession times. This is borne out by the numbers of people we are accompanying to SATU in the Rotunda.

We have devised the following information in the hope that we can reach as many people as possible this Christmas and New Year period and help to prevent this crime being committed.”

Some facts to keep in mind this Christmas and New Year Period
• The legal age of consent for having sex is 17
• Under current Irish Law a person is guilty of raping another person, if they are reckless in their decision to pursue sexual contact without that person’s consent
• If a person has sex with another person without their consent it is a crime
• A person may not give their consent freely if they are asleep, are unconscious or severely impaired due to alcohol, are mentally impaired , are under 17 or have been coerced in any other way that is deemed to be reckless
• When a person is taken advantage of in any of these circumstances whereby they have not given their consent freely, they suffer the huge trauma of the effects of being raped
Some Tips to keeping safe this Christmas
• Always look out for each other and be part of a group
• Try not to get separated from your group
• Keep your drink in your hand at all times
• Do not accept a drink from someone you have just met even if he/she is a friend of a friend
• Ask someone you know and trust, to mind your drink if you have to leave it for whatever reason
• Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable in a place or with someone, leave as soon as possible
• Nominate a Designated Minder for each group of 6
• Share Taxis with friends
• Make sure your mobile is charged at all times and keep the helpline free phone number
1800 77 88 88 stored in it
• If you have to travel alone, make sure you phone ahead to where you are going and give your estimated time of arrival. Make sure your driver hears you phoning ahead
• Remember 8 out of 10 victims are raped by someone known to them

Steps to be taken in the event of a rape or sexual assault:
• Call the National 24 hour Helpline if you need the help of a Rape Crisis Centre for a recent rape or childhood sexual abuse,
• If you are a family member or a friend and don’t know what to do when someone close to you has disclosed that they have been raped or sexually assaulted call this number and you will get the help you need
• Contact your parents or Guardian or a friend
• You may choose to report the incident to the Gardai
• Get the medical support you need

Our aim is to offer a safe and confidential space where women and men of all ages can be listened to and supported without shame or self-blame.