Helpline sees 52% rise in calls

Assault and harassment were two of the most common crimes that a helpline supported victims with in 2018, it was revealed this week.

The national Crime Victims Helpline (CVH) launched its 2018 Annual Report on Tuesday detailing how it helped victims of crime over the phone, email, text and post.

CVH handled 3,581 calls, 600 emails and 151 text messages and posted information to 131 people.

The helpline said it also experienced a massive 52 per cent increase in the number of incoming calls since 2015.

Similar to previous years, the most common crimes that service users were impacted by in 2018 were assault at 27 per cent, harassment at 24 per cent and burglary at nine per cent.

Executive Director, Michele Puckhaber, said: “People share their fears with us after experiencing a burglary or an assault; they express their frustration at the slowness of the criminal justice system and they look to us to provide guidance, a listening ear and hope that they will feel ‘normal’ again.

“Nobody should suffer alone or in silence,” she said.

The report also highlights Crime Victims Helplines’ campaign to bring greater awareness of new legal rights for victims of crime. In June 2018, the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan launched CVH’s Know Your Rights resources—a booklet; the Crime Victims’ Rights website and a video designed to explain the new rights as they relate to each aspect of the criminal justice system.

The entire 2018 Annual Report can be viewed at crimevictimshelpline.ie/us/reports-plans.

The national Crime Victims Helpline can be contacted on free phone 116006, by texting 085-1337711 or emailing info@crimevictimshelpline.ie.