On the European Day for Victims of Crime, we are thrilled to welcome two new members from Ireland and Latvia to our victim support family: Victim Support at Court (Ireland) and Association “Skalbes” (Latvia).
V-SAC has a permanent presence in the Criminal Courts of Justice at Parkgate Street, Dublin, but the cases it handles originate from all parts of the country. V-SAC also operates in Tallaght District Court, Blanchardstown District Court and the Eastern and South Eastern regional courts. Victim Support at Court is expanding its service into the Midlands, Western and Northern Circuit Courts with funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. It is the only service whose sole function is to provide court accompaniment for all victims of crime, regardless of the type of offence. Counselling services are not provided, but referrals are offered to other appropriate services as and when required. More on: www.vsac.ie
Association “Skalbes” was established in 1997 as Crisis Telephone. Crisis Centre “Skalbes” was open in 1999 with support of Phare Consensus program, and it was the first professional crisis intervention centre in Latvia. Since then Crisis centre has managed to receive sustainable funding for project “24h psychological help for citizens of Riga city” from Riga Municipality. The aim of non-governmental organization Society “Skalbes” is to provide 24-hour crisis intervention service for for children and adults in crisis situations. “Skalbes” primary activity is to provide in-walk and telephone psychological consultations in crisis situations such as spousal abuse, child abuse, suicide, death of relatives, sudden loss of work, loneliness, terminal illness, etc. This is the first crisis intervention center in Latvia. It also cooperates with other aid organizations in Latvia: police, hospitals, social services, and other psychological aid organizations. Crisis Telephone line 7222922 is available 24 hours, seven days a week, offering psychological consultations and information about aid available in Latvia. More on: https://www.skalbes.lv/en/
We look forward to working together with you, as we continue to expand our global reach to strengthen the rights and services for all victims of crime in Europe and beyond.
