New era for RCNE
THE DUNDALK BASED RAPE CRISIS NORTH EAST (RCNE) HAS JUST ENDURED YEARS OF AUSTERITY, BUT OLIVIA RYAN FINDS THEY HAVE MADE BRAVE MOVES TO ENSURE THIS VITAL SERVICE CONTINUES
THE frightening reality of headline statistics is borne out daily for staff at the Rape Crisis North East, who have just published their latest annual report.
Almost 99% of survivors knew their attacker. Over 90% who make contact with the centre are female. But just 41% reported the crime they had been subjected to, to the gardai.
‘It’s a sad, but very real, fact that most perpetrators were known to the survivor,’ says RCNE manager Grace McArdle.
As a result, each case can be highly complex, and traumatic for survivors who takes the brave step of reporting the crime.
In many cases, that is where the RCNE have acted as a lifeline for survivors,providing not only counselling to cope with the trauma of sexual violence, but also accompaniment to a garda station and courts.
All this is against the backdrop of the challenges which the Rape Crisis North East centre has itself had to overcome in recent years.
Like many organisations which rely almost exclusively on state funding, and in part fundraising, the austerity of the last six or seven years has been a constant looming threat.
‘Every year for quite some time we have thought the service would have to close. Funding was cut so many times, that it was becoming more and more likely,’ said Grace.
But, for the first time in many years, the funding award from Tusla, the child and family agency, remained on par with the previous year, giving the service that has at times been almost overwhelmed by demand, breathing room.
‘In the middle of all the financial challenges we have faced, ironically we had to put a plan in place to expand services.
Looking ahead, she said they realised the RCNE would not be able to cope with the growing number of people who needed help if they didn’t take the brave decision to expand.
‘Central to all of that was the need for more physical space, so we could provide the best services to survivors,’ says Grace, as she introduces their new home at the Great Northern Distillery offices on the Carrick Road. An historic building, it is an ideal base not only for an organisation with growing needs, but the comfort and privacy so valued by clients.
Grace, who has a vision for a more self -sustaining future, adds
‘We had simply outgrown our previous premises. Providing counselling services, which are vital to any survivor of sexual violence, is complex and requires surroundings that put a client at ease.’
The new centre is also home to the helpline which dealt with 2,171 calls in 2015 alone.
‘ This was a substantial increase, up 421 from the previous year,’ explained Grace.
She spoke of the demand rising across all their services, including face to face counselling, where 1,049 appointments were offered last year an increase of almost 200 on 2014.
The RCNE provide services across the north east, with one on one counselling offered in Drogheda, and more recently Castleblayney in County Monaghan.
‘It is our aim to expand our services into Cavan and Meath, and to form strong partnerships with our colleagues in Northern Ireland, and look at the possibility of establishing a cross border Rape Crisis service for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.’
The centre’s annual report for 2015 also highlighted the age where people are most likely to seek help.
‘We see that the 30-39 age group is where most of our clients will come in,’ said Grace. But their research also shows that nearly 68% of people attending Rape Crisis North east experienced sexual violence or abuse when they were under the age of 18 years old.
This very fact has led to the RCNE to place a greater emphasis on working with schools to create awareness among young people.
‘We have an initiative called the ‘Real You’ which is aimed at Transition Year students. It is very popular with schools, and has proven to give teenagers an awareness they might not have had.’
Although a lack of resources has prevented the RCNE from reaching all of the schools who have requested the programme, Grace adds that very distinct patterns have emerged.
‘ The impact of social media cannot be overestimated in what people are experiencing,’ added Grace.
She explains that where in times gone by, a teenager may have learned from parents about the facts of life, these days the internet is proving to be the often explicit educator. ‘Essentially it comes down to young people thinking that what they see online is how relationships are meant to be. And that is just wrong,’ says Grace.
‘And not only are they coping with that, they can then be subjected to the destructive bullying that can so often take root on social media platforms.’
She highlights how the RCNE would like to invest more in young people, by funding an education officer who could liaise with schools, and deal with the growing need for supporting young people who have experienced sexual violence.
Much of the funds needed to develop these services will have to be raised by the RCNE, who are looking to the leasing of a number of rooms within the Great Northern Brewery building as one potential source of income.
‘We have rooms available to rent, which are ideal for services such as counselling services, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, hypnotherapy and other types of therapists and similar services,’ said Grace.
One of Dundalk’s best known and respected historical buildings, the unique character of each room has been well maintained with gorgeous high ceilings, tall windows allowing for natural light to flow throughout the entire building, The board room now renamed ‘ The Fearon Room’ after Fearon Blinds from Louth Village for donating new blinds for the entire building is also available for hire and is ideal for training purposes or as a meeting room. If you are interested in renting a room within the building, contact Grace McArdle on 042 -9339491 or email manager@rcne.ie.