FRONTLINE groups supporting victims of abuse have been refused exceptional funding from the Government to deal with the fallout of the Dublin Diocese abuse report.The Irish Independent has learned that several victim support groups -- who are bracing themselves for a peak in calls from victims -- requested modest additional funds to deal with the fallout of the Dublin inquiry report.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre requested €30,000 in one-off funding to provide additional trained counsellors to man its helpline, which helps callers nationwide and is the country's only 24-hour helpline.
But it was turned down despite recording a 300pc increase in calls in the aftermath of the Ryan report into abuse in residential institutions earlier this year.
One in Four, the abuse charity founded by former abuse victim and children's rights campaigner Colm O'Gorman, also requested exceptional funding from Children's Minister Barry Andrews.
In the first three months after publication of the Ryan report, One in Four received 700 new clients, compared to 500 new clients for the whole of 2008.
"It is an absolute disgrace that frontline organisations have been provided with no funds to deal with the Dublin report," said Maeve Lewis, executive director of One in Four.
"We have received not one singly penny since the Ryan report despite the fact that we are bracing ourselves for a new peak after the Dublin report is published.
"It is vital that victims have access to counselling services."
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