Gardai under fire over victim support
The agency set up to help victims of crime says the Gardai are shirking their duty to refer people to the agency.
Today’s public attitude survey by the Gardai Siochana shows just 5% of crime victims are provided with information on “victim support” and its services.
More than 90% of the 10,000 people questioned had agreed that there was a need for appropriate post-crime support services.
Victim support’s Lillian McGovern says Gardai have a duty of referral.
"Victim support is 100% funded by the Department of Justice, so we are being paid by the State to provide a service, the only way we can provide that service is if we are put in touch with the people who need our help," she said.
"While the Department of Justice and other agencies see victim support as very central to the system, why are we falling down here with the guards? That is where the initial contact is made with the people who need help."
