The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s CEO Noeline Blackwell (pictured) is to retire from the role in the autumn, having led the organisation since March 2016.

The voluntary organisation offers a range of services to victims and survivors of sexual violence.

Blackwell, a solicitor who was previously Director General of access-to-justice campaign group FLAC, was last year presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Law Awards 2022.

Intense change

In a statement, the centre’s board said that Blackwell had successfully led the organisation through a period of intense societal change.

“She has raised public awareness about the rights of victims and survivors and, through her skilful and persuasive advocacy, focused Government and legislative attention on mitigating the impact of the trauma of sexual violence and rape,” the board added.

Blackwell said that, after seven years in the role, it was the right time for her to step down, and to allow others to shape the next stage of the organisation’s development.

Reform

“Leading the DRCC executive has allowed me to be part of a movement to effect substantial positive change for those who experience sexual violence, or who are at risk of it,” she stated.

DRCC chair Ann Marie Gill said that the retiring CEO had brought the issues facing survivors of sexual violence to public attention, and contributed significantly to law and policy reform in this area.

Gill confirmed that the board would now begin the search for Blackwell’s successor.