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Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) is a leading feminist organisation that advocates on behalf of survivors of sexual violence. We aim to improve survivors’ access to justice and the support they need.
Our work is guided by zero tolerance for sexual violence.
RCI works with stakeholders across Ireland and internationally to prevent sexual violence and improve responses to survivors. We also analyse and advocate on support, prevention and justice responses and solutions.
Our Values
Our values are founded on a feminist and gender analysis. Our approach is centred around the experiences of survivors and based on evidence. We aim to be inclusive in our advocacy and uphold a reflective practice in our work.
Our Work
Our core stakeholders are Rape Crisis Centres around Ireland who provide support for survivors – these supports include counselling, accompanying the survivor to a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, or to the guards to make a statement as well as other support services requested by the survivor.
RCI draws on data from Rape Crisis Centres to analyse statistics across Ireland and publishes reports which highlight the experiences of survivors of sexual violence as they seek to access services and justice.
We advocate with policy makers and politicians to work towards zero tolerance of sexual violence in all its forms. We undertake advocacy on legal reform. We provide specialist legal advice and influence public campaigns about sexual violence – endeavouring to base our advocacy on the experiences of survivors, and on the statistics that we gather.
Data
Rape Crisis Ireland has published landmark statistics reports since 2004. These reports provide crucial insights into the experiences of sexual violence survivors in Ireland. Our reports are a vital tool in working to end sexual violence, providing the best possible services for survivors and holding perpetrators to account. Rape Crisis Ireland was selected by the European Institute of Gender Equality as an example of best practice data collection in Europe.
Over the years, we have also published a range of other publications, addressing topics ranging from online counselling to terminology guidelines for collecting data on sexual violence against children.
Legal
Rape Crisis Ireland provides specialist legal advice for survivors who are seeking to access justice. We also provide advice to Rape Crisis Centres that are supporting survivors in the criminal justice process. This advice supports survivors in a range of challenges, from civil and family law, accessing criminal justice professionals and criminal law and pursuing complaints.
Legal Reform
Rape Crisis Ireland advocates on legal reform and produces a number of legal submissions and briefing papers every year. We are frequently invited to provide policy makers and politicians with expert advice and to present at Dail Committees which are developing legislation on sexual violence.
Training courses for accompanying survivors to Court and to the Gardai
RCI provides specialist training for Rape Crisis Centre volunteers to accompany survivors of sexual violence as they navigate the criminal justice system, from going to court, to meeting with the Gardaí.
Other training courses
We also offer other training courses to the sector, including specialised legal clinics, cyber security, charity trustees and data processing. Furthermore, RCI trains Garda personnel who support Divisional Protection Services Units with an introduction to the sexual violence NGO sector, trauma and supporting survivors.
Find more information
We are a registered Charity (reg no. 1323) and a company ltd by guarantee (Reg.: 363350).
News & Media
Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) is a specialist information and resource centre on rape and all forms of sexual violence.
We coordinate help, advocate for justice and provide expert advice and research.
