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Crime Victims Helpline has a team of highly trained volunteers who have a deep understanding of the issues and difficulties faced by victims of crime. One of the main strengths of the organisation is their excellent relationship with An Garda Síochána, being therefore able to assist callers by liaising with An Garda Síochána, as well as helping them to access a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations.
Crime Victims Helpline provides support to victims, witnesses, their families and friends, partners, husband/wives and colleagues. Practical, psychological and emotional support are available, as well as assistance to apply for compensation, information on victims’ rights and the national criminal justice system. The organisation also provides support to specific groups of victims, namely: elderly people, persons with disabilities, immigrant, transnational/cross-border and hate crime victims. Victims may contact Crime Victims Helpline through telephone/hotline (service available in English, Irish, Russian, Portuguese and French), e-mail or letter (both in English).

Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA)

The Irish Road Victims Association is a NGO that supports those bereaved or injured by road collisions and campaigns for justice, rights and recognition for Road Crash Victims.

It works with all Stakeholders whose common aim to prevent road deaths and injuries, to improve road crash investigations and to improve support services for Road Victims and bereaved families.

It campaigns for a fairer justice system, with more transparent investigations, prosecutions and Coroner’s inquests. It seeks improved support and recognition for Road Victims together with timely accurate information provided for those affected by road deaths and injuries, without excessive fees being applied.

Irish Road Victims Association – Emotional Support

The Irish Road Victims Association comprises a group of people, many of whom have lost a loved one in a road traffic collision or have been injured themselves, their colleagues, relatives and friends. They are available to speak to bereaved families if they would like to discuss any aspect of their post-crash experience.

Irish Road Victims Association – Practical Support
Information Guides

The IRVA has produced a Guide for the Families of Victims of Road Traffic Collisions. It is available for anybody affected by road traffic collisions, including bereaved families. It outlines the steps involved in the professional Garda investigation of serious injury and fatal collisions, and the subsequent post-mortem, inquest and legal proceedings (where applicable) and offers information and advice to the victim’s family.

The Irish Road Victims’ Association is a member of the European Federation for Road Traffic Victims (FEVR) and is also a member of the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety & Road Victims.

The IRVA is also a signatory to the European Road Safety Charter (ERSC).

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service is a specialist service offering immediate support and practical assistance to cross border victims. The Organisation has built up an extensive network of support with the Police, embassies and tourism industry to offer the best possible care to tourists in the aftermath of crime. The Organisation provides support to victims, witnesses, their families and friends, partners, husband/wives and anyone who is directly or indirectly involved with the victimisation.
A victim may contact the Irish Tourist Assistance Service through the hotline, go personally to a local scheme, by e-mail, through police, embassies and other tourism industries referral. There a victim may find practical and emotional support, as well as assistance to apply for compensation, short term assistance with accommodation, meals and transport in emergency situations, information on victims’ rights and the national criminal justice system.

The VRA is an Alliance of victim support and human rights organisations in Ireland namely, Advocates for Victims of Homicide [AdVIC],the CARI Foundation,the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre [DRCC],the Gay & Lesbian Equality Network [GLEN], the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland,the Irish Criminal Justice Disability Network [ICJDN] the Irish Council for Civil Liberties [ICCL], the Irish Road Victims’ Association [IRVA], the National Women’s Council of Ireland [NWCI] the Irish Tourist Assistance Service [ITAS], One in Four,the Rape Crisis Network Ireland [RCNI], Ruhama, Safe Ireland and Support after Homicide [SAH]. The Alliance was formed with one key goal: to ensure the Victims’ Rights Directive is implemented in Ireland within the proposed time frame, with all victims of crime in mind.

The VRA was launched by the then Minister for Justice Alan Shatter on the 15th of November 2013. This date was chosen as it marked a two year countdown to the implementation of the Directive. Since that date many more organisations have joined the VRA and many more organisations have expressed an interest in becoming members.