Services

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Counselling Services

The biggest part of our service is the provision of counselling for survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

The counselling service provides support for survivors, as well as a space to be listened to and an opportunity to examine feelings in relation to the traumatic experience of rape and sexual assault.

We place a very high emphasis on confidentiality for all our counselling services.

Since January 2009 GRCC is asking clients for a voluntary donation of up to 10 Euros per session of counselling.

Helpline

The telephone helpline is often the first point of contact. Many clients are referred to us by their GPs, social workers or other professionals, most survivors however contact us themselves.

After the first chat on the telephone the options are to continue telephone contact with the centre, or to come in for a face to face appointment.
The helpline is also a support service for on-going clients, for supporters of survivors or anyone who might like to talk about issues relating to sexual violence or sexual abuse, to find out more about our services or discuss any other concerns they might have which relate to this area.

The helpline number is 1800 355 355

Initial Appointment

What we call the initial appointment is essentially the first face-to-face contact a client will have with the centre. The purpose of this first appointment is to establish how the client is coping at this moment in time, and to establish their needs and wants in relation to our service. Counselling appointments take about an hour.

You will also be given a leaflet outlining what to expect as a client at GRCC.

Drop In Service

The drop in service supports people on a short term basis. The service operates during the usual opening hours (LINK). It will see people at very short notice, but to make sure someone is available please call to make an appointment first.

The number to call is 1800 355 355

Opening Hours for Helpline and Drop In Service are:

Monday to Friday 10a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (telephone only - 1800 355 355)

Asylum Seeker Clinic

GRCC provide a dedicated clinic for asylum seekers which caters for the particular needs of this often very traumatised client group.

To access this service, please call the helpline at 1800 355 355.

Long Term Counselling

A large percentage of clients decide to attend the centre for long term counselling.

There is a waiting list for long term counselling which is in the region of four to six months. Although the centre offers some evening appointments, these are hard to come by. Waiting times will be shorter if you can make yourself available during day times.

Counselling appointments are usually weekly for an hour.

All our counsellors have specialised training in Rape Crisis Counselling accredited by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI, www.rcni.ie). Furthermore, most of our counsellors are fully accredited by a major counselling body such as IACP or IAHIP.

Survivors Groups

GRCC run survivors groups on an irregular basis pending funding.

Our groups are designed to provide a supportive environment where survivors can share their stories. Groups are facilitated by GRCC counsellors.

Services for People Supporting Survivors

A disclosure of sexual violence or abuse from a close friend or family member can be quite a shock. You might want to help but you are not quite sure about the 'right thing' to do or say. We are here to talk this through with you. Also, if you are supporting a survivor on a long-term basis we are available to discuss difficult issues that might arise, sometimes over a number of sessions. To access this service please call the helpline on 1800 355 355.

After-care for Clients

Aafter a client leaves counselling they are welcome to return to the Centre for further support or counselling in the future if the need arises. As after-care services we offer telephone support, or the use of the drop-in service. Previous clients can also come back to counselling if they wish, which would involve coming in for an Initial appointment (see above) and a possible waiting period.

24-hour Emergency Call-out Service

Galway Gardai and the Accident and Emergency Department at U.C.H.G. hold an emergency telephone number at which the centre can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is for emergencies only i.e. for sexual assault/rape that has just occurred. A counsellor is available at all times to call out and give emotional and practical support in the immediate aftermath of assault.

Advocacy & Accompaniment to Services

In addition to counselling, clients often have a need for practical support for example in relation to reporting an assault or sexual abuse case to the Gardai or Social Work Department, or in relation to attending other agencies and services including Courts. The centre will make contact with those agencies on your behalf if you wish and will make someone available to accompany you if at all possible.

Medical Services and the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)

The centre will provide clients with information on medical issues and/or accompany them to GP’s for a check up (free of charge), which is vital after a recent assault/rape.

GRCC has been campaigning for over ten years for a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) to be opened in Galway, so we were delighted when it did open in August 2009. It is currently a Garda referral only service but working towards a self-referral service for medical aftercare without having to report. Clients will also receive emotional support and advocacy from a GRCC Support Worker whilst attending at the Unit.

Legal Clinic

GRCC provide a free legal clinic for clients. A trained legal professional is offering this service on a voluntary basis. Advice is available on all legal issues related to client's experience of sexual violence and abuse. Clients can access this service through their counselor who will set up an appointment for them, or through the drop in clinic while on the waiting list.

Christmas Sharing

Every year around Christmas time the centre holds a Christmas Sharing event for the centre's clients. This is an opportunity for clients and ex- clients of the Centre to come together with other survivors and share their hopes and fears in a supportive environment in the run up to Christmas. Usually this event is held on the last Friday before Christmas but will be advertised to clients beforehand.

Education & Training Services

Please see the Training and Education page for those services. Training and Education