Rape Crisis Centre open Ballyjamesduff branch

Sligo Rape Crisis Centre (SRCC) has permanently extended its service in Cavan and Monaghan with the launch of a new premises; Sunrise Counselling Centre, in Ballyjamesduff, writes Róisín McManus.

Officially opened by Cathaoirleach Cllr John Paul Feeley last Friday, April 17, the service is funded by CUAN, and provides free and confidential counselling and support services to people affected by sexual violence.

Around 52% of women and 28% of men have experienced sexual violence at some point throughout their lives, statistics from the CSO Sexual Violence Survey released in 2023 show.

SRCC’s primary office is based in Sligo; where they have been situated for 26 years. The domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency have a second premises in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, where they provided a part-time service in collaboration with the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) for a number of years before opening their own premises in 2024.

What started out as two women volunteering on a helpline has grown to around 30 people across three centres. SRCC also carry out group work, talks for professionals and consent workshops.

In recent years, SRCC provided a part-time service from Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre in Cavan Town.

Speaking to the Celt at the launch, SRCC CEO Danielle Neely said the decision to expand came from a growing demand in the area.

“We are going really strong,” she says of the new centre, which is already “getting quite busy”- with three out of five days each week currently completely booked.

Open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, there are 10 therapists available in the new centre.

In their Leitrim and Cavan offices, SRCC see people from the ages of 14 upwards, and Danielle is working on lowering the age limit to six upwards in Cavan. In their Sligo office, they see people from the age of three upwards.

Anyone can make a referral, with the survivor’s permission, and self-referrals are also accepted. Clients are then booked in for an assessment with Isabel O’Brien, Outreach Lead for Cavan.

“The survivor will be seen as soon as a therapist has been allocated to them,” Isabel confirms.

The service is offered in-person, over the phone and online, and can also be provided to family members, partners and friends.

Medical programme

There is also a free medical care programme provided at HSE Sexual Assault Treatment Units, and accompaniment to court where needed.

“We are delighted that the centre is up and running,” says Isabel, noting the “warm and open welcome” they have received from the local community.

“From the minute they touch the handle on the front door, they will be looked after,” she says of those attending the centre.

“We welcome the entire community here.”

“Nobody is turned away due to their address or catchment area. We look after all.”

The decision to choose Ballyjamesduff for their centre was a “conscious one”, explains Danielle.

“It’s rural Ireland and people know everyone,” she says.

“People are concerned about the stigma that is still out there.”

To keep as much anonymity as possible, the centre has been located in a more discreet location outside of Cavan Town, with a name in no way connected to ‘rape crisis centre’.

“If you see our logo, you’ll know it’s us but we like to name our centres something slightly different so that it’s not so jarring to someone coming in.”

Danielle is hopeful that the new centre will help grow their community development locally and change the surrounding stigma.

“The more we’re out in the community, the more we’re talking about it, people get to know the staff, they start to realise; let’s start that conversation.

“ Some pockets in rural Ireland, she said, are still back in “those darker ages” and they want to challenge that.

“A lot of the myths are still very much alive, and that’s what I really want to combat.”

Welcoming the centre to Cavan, Cathaoirleach Cllr Feeley says the centre will address barriers to people accessing services in the region.

“Sadly, this is an ongoing problem throughout the country,” he told the Celt.

“Access to service and having the courage to access those services is very important and SRCC are to be commended for recognising that and opening a facility here in our county.”