A crime victim charity reports a 37% increase in the number of people accessing its service since 2016.

Victim Support at Court (V-SAC) accompanies victims and witnesses during criminal proceedings in the Criminal Courts of Justice, District and Circuit Courts.

During 2018, V-SAC provided court accompaniment to 1,365 victims of crime, their families and witnesses in 85 pre-trial visits, 356 trials, 15 retrials, 85 sentencing hearings, and 11 appeals.

Trials

The trials involved rape and sexual assault cases, assaults, domestic violence cases and other trials (including human trafficking, criminal damage and theft) in the Central Criminal Court, Circuit and District Courts. 

V-SAC marked European Day for Victims of Crime this morning by detailing its service and expansion plans at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin 7.

General manager Dympna Kenny said “There has been a significant increase in demand for services from victims of crime, not only as a result of our expansion into the regional courts, but also within the CCJ in Dublin.  

“In 2018, we provided assistance and support to 1,365 victims and witnesses, resulting in almost 5,500 individual contacts. Our volunteers have given over 1,200 days of their time.”

The charity wants to raise awareness of victims’ rights and the support services available in line with the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2018

Mission

Its mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment for victims, their families and witnesses while they attend court.

The charity is funded annually by the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime within the Department of Justice.

Referrals are received from An Garda Síochána, the DPP and other support services and from self-referral.