Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

08/10/2026

Would your partner feel able tell you?

Our new research with Ipsos B&A found that 44% of people in Ireland believe worry about how a partner might react stops survivors of sexual violence from seeking support. Survivors themselves put it at the same level. That means for many people, the person closest to them may be one of the hardest to tell.

Most partners would want to help, but survivors worry about anger, blame, questions, or taking over. A survivor who has to manage someone else's response on top of their own trauma may decide it is easier to say nothing.

Cultivating a relationship based on respect and compassion now can lead to confidence when it matters.

If someone tells you, the most important thing you can do is believe them, stay calm, and follow their lead – in that moment more than ever, complete respect for their autonomy is essential.

The 24-hour National Helpline is free and confidential and supports partners and family members too. Call 1800 77 8888, any time.

06/10/2026

You are seen, you are believed, and you are not alone.

For two weeks from tonight, some of Dublin's best-known landmarks will be lit purple in solidarity with survivors for Lights of Hope.

“Our research indicates that fear of not being believed is greatest barrier to coming forward, and that fear is fed by attitudes that still linger in Irish society. We must make it plain that we will listen without judgement, that we will stand with survivors, and that support is there whenever they are ready.” – Rachel Morrogh, Dublin R**e Crisis Centre CEO.

We are asking you to join our campaign: Share a photo of a purple-lit landmark, or a purple light in your own window, using and tag **eCrisis
Our thanks to the Office of Public Works for making this possible.

Free and confidential support is available on the 24-hour National Helpline at 1800 77 8888.

02/10/2026

"Shop still open?" This is what r**e culture looks like in a group chat of 57 men.

What followed was the dehumanisation of Jane Doe by the Cornell 7 and it was tolerated by all 57.

It’s only because of mass student protests and independent reporting by the journalists of that this case of r**e and degradation has resurfaced publicly. Because there were no arrests, the prosecution did not independently investigate and there were extensive structural institutional failures. Now the focus is on what Jane Doe drank and agreed to, instead of what was done to her.

The seven men accused of drugging and ra**ng her that night in 2024 are now finally before the US courts, and our news and feeds are full of it.

In Ireland, we have seen similar cases and group chats. The culture that lets these attitudes go unchallenged is facilitating rapists and silencing victims.

If the news is hard for you to read at the moment, Dublin R**e Crisis Centre's free and confidential 24-hour National Helpline is here on 1800 77 8888.

27/09/2026

The Perpetual Joe Carr Trophy has a new name on it. Congratulations to Grainne Murray, Martin Murray, Martin Dempsey and Michael McDonnell of the Maire Tehan team, winners of the 2026 Golf Classic in aid of Dublin R**e Crisis Centre!

After a great afternoon on the course at Castle Golf Club in Rathfarnham, our teams gathered in the Clubhouse for dinner and the prize-giving. Well done too to the Sean O'Toole team in second place, The Church Restaurant team in third, and everyone who braved the fairways (including the local fox).

This is one of the most important days in our fundraising calendar. Every team that played today helps make sure we're there for anyone affected by sexual violence, whenever they need us.

A heartfelt thank you to all our teams, sponsors and supporters, to Castle Golf Club for hosting us once again, and to our fundraising team for another brilliant day. See you next year!

27/09/2026

We want to hear from you. 💬

Dublin R**e Crisis Centre's We-Consent programme is working with Black & Irish to better understand how people in the Black Irish and mixed-heritage community in Ireland think about, learn about, and experience consent.

Your insights will help us identify gaps in consent education, understand cultural perspectives, and shape more inclusive, community-led conversations and resources. The survey is quick and completely anonymous, and your answers will inform future programmes, workshops, and a potential Ambassador Programme designed with and for Black Irish and mixed-heritage communities.

Take the survey here: bit.ly/BIWCForm

If you have been affected by sexual violence, our 24-hour National Helpline is free and confidential on 1800 77 8888.

25/09/2026

"When a woman is r**ed and she's not perfect, she seems to get blamed." Nikita Hand's words on RTÉ Prime Time go to the heart of why so many survivors stay silent.

Nikita said she spoke out for every victim afraid to come forward, and they heard her. In the immediate aftermath of her statement, calls to our helpline rose by over 150%, with 50% more first-time callers that weekend.

Speaking after Nikita, Dublin R**e Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh said her case is already having a massive impact, challenging the idea that women must restrict how they live to protect themselves from men's violence. Drinking, taking drugs or getting into a car with someone you don't know well – or indeed with someone you do know - is never permission to harm you.

Watch it here: https://www.rte.ie/player/series/prime-time/SI0000000825?epguid=IH10016313-26-0064

If you are thinking about going to court, our accompaniment service can help you prepare. Our 24-hour National Helpline is free and confidential: 1800 77 8888.

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

On Friday night, we hosted our fourth Culture Night event: "WeSpeak.ie LIVE: Healing, Hope and Community".

Here’s a sneak peek at the event.. and at some of the incredible creative work that came from the process. 👀

We were blown away by the spoken word, poetry, stories, manuscripts, paintings, songs and so much more created and shared by the 23 participants who took part in the project. 👏

Each person brought their own voice, perspective and creativity to the space. Some took to the stage, some shared their work in other ways and some chose to remain anonymous.. every contribution was valued.

Over a series of creative workshops with Fighting Words, participants explored what "healing, hope and community" mean to them, discovering different ways to express their experiences through art and storytelling.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and everyone who joined us on the night with such warmth and kindness.

Thank you to Hen's Teeth for hosting us in your beautiful venue, to our ISL interpreters who ensured we had an accessible event, to the Fighting Words facilitators and mentors, our volunteers on the evening and to all our DRCC staff who make our work possible.

Thank you for helping us create a space where stories could be shared, creativity could flourish, and survivors’ voices could be heard. 💜

📲If you need support, the 24hr, National Helpline is available for free, confidential, non-judgmental support.
✍Visit WeSpeak.ie or share your story, art or poetry today. Every story matters.

22/09/2026

Specialist courts for sexual offences are coming to England and Wales. Could they work in Ireland?

Every Crown Court there will get a dedicated courtroom for sexual offence cases within two years, with private entrances and waiting rooms, trauma-informed staff, a single point of contact and fixed trial dates. Here, a 2024 report commissioned by the Department of Justice recommended piloting a specialist court for three years, which we support, but it has yet to be acted upon.

Our justice system is already becoming more victim-centred, with survivor anonymity, testimony by video-link or from behind a screen, and character references given on oath. But there is a long way to go.

One in two people who experience sexual violence never tell anyone, and most cases that are reported fall away before trial. Change is needed at every stage, all at once. As Rachel told Newstalk, "There needs to be a simultaneous effort to encourage more people into the justice system and make that system more survivor-centred."

Listen back to Rachel’s interview on Newstalk: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/do-we-need-to-reform-how-we-carry-out-r**e-trials

If you have been affected by sexual violence of any kind, the Dublin R**e Crisis Centre 24-hour National Helpline is here on 1800 77 8888. It is free and confidential.

21/09/2026

"The criminal justice system was already beset by delays and the root cause of these needs to be addressed beyond the criminal legal aid dispute."

Our CEO Rachel Morrogh spoke to Eoin O'Hare in the Business Post, as solicitors warn of chaos when the Circuit Court and Central Criminal Court return next month.

Dublin R**e Crisis Centre has urged Minister Jim O'Callaghan and the Law Society to resolve the legal aid dispute. The Monday after the new regime began in July, just two of the 12 r**e trials due to start at the Central Criminal Court were able to go ahead. For victims already waiting too long for a trial date, every adjournment puts their lives on hold again.

Legal aid is only one piece of the picture: The drivers of the justice system's endemic delays are complex, and they must all be tackled.

Read the full article (paywall) at https://www.businesspost.ie/legal/solicitors-warn-of-absolute-chaos-when-courts-return-next-month/

If you have been affected by sexual violence, our 24-hour National Helpline is free and confidential: 1800 77 8888.