1. Support for Victims of Crime
Timely and accurate support for victims of crime is a core duty and responsibility of all members of the Gardaí. Quality victim support processes and procedures:
1. facilitate supportive two-way communication and dialogue among victimised persons, investigating Gardaí and professionally trained victim support staff
2. enables the provision of physical, informational, psychological and emotional support and advice for victims and their families
3. help prevent feelings of anger, revenge and trauma caused by isolation and misunderstandings resulting from misinformation or unrealistic expectations
People who are traumatised as a result of crime or other incidents which require a Garda response have the right to Garda support and incident related information. Such victim support services must be delivered in accordance with Garda service standards. Investigating Gardaí will be respectful, helpful, courteous and professional.

 

2. Garda Síochana Charter for Victims of Crime
The Garda Charter for Victims of Crime has been updated to take account of current victims support expectations and new developments in our victim support services and networks. It is currently being circulated and published in nine languages on the Garda Website - www.garda.ie. The revised Garda Charter for Victims of Crime sets out the services and service delivery standards which An Garda Síochana are committed to delivering to victims. All victims will be treated in a courteous, helpful, respectful and professional manner by every member of An Garda Síochana.
A victim means any person or group of people who individually or collectively, directly or indirectly, suffer harm as a result of a crime or other traumatic incident, which requires a Garda response.

 

3. Revised Victim Support Services
Henceforth, members of An Garda Siochana will refer victims of crime to the National Crime Victims Helpline 1850 211 407. Victims of crime who are tourists will be referred to the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS).
National Crime Victims Helpline
This new service provides a single point of contact for victims of crime. It is operated by experienced volunteers who have received training in counselling and listening skills. Currently, volunteers operating the Crime Victims Helpline provide emotional and informational support for victims of crime. Skilled volunteers advise victims of the relevant support services available at local and national level.

 

4. Garda Referral and Informational Procedure
Members of An Garda taking incident reports from victims of crime will inform each victim of available support services and provide each victim with the Crime Victims Helpline number, in writing. Garda will interact with victim support services at local level and assist victims who wish to contact local victim support services. Garda will work in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies and victim support organisation to ensure the provision of physical, informational, psychological and emotional support and advice for victims and their families.
Where a crime incident is reported to An Garda and the victim is a tourist, then contact will be made immediately with the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) by telephone - 01 4785295 (with the victim's expressed consent). This is to ensure that appropriate and co-ordinated assistance is delivered every time. Telephone contact will be followed by written referrals.

 

5. Garda Family Liaison Officers
Garda Family Liaison Officers are appointed to keep victims' families informed of the progress of the investigation and to ensure that they are afforded appropriate and relevant emotional, psychological, informational and practical support.
The local Superintendent will appoint a Garda Family Liaison Officer to families of victims, who have been or are being subjected to emotional or psychological trauma related to incidents / crimes of:
- Homicide
- Kidnappings
- False imprisonment
- Hostage siege situations

Crime (other than above) where violence or an immediate threat of violence has been visited upon the victim.
Suicide and road traffic fatalities
In cases of rape and other sexual offences a member of the investigating team, approved by the local Superintendent, will perform the functions of the Garda Family Liaison Officer. The services of a Garda and doctor of the same gender will, as far as possible, be made available to victims.

The victim will be told about the availability of local specialist agencies dealing with sexual offences. Garda will show special sensitivity in relation to sexual offences.

 

Garda PULSE Generated Letters to Victims of Crime
When a person becomes the victim of a crime and it is reported to An Garda a letter will be completed and forwarded to the victim informing him / her of the name of the investigating Garda, how to contact the Garda, details of the PULSE Incident Number and the number of the Crime Victims Helpline or ITAS as appropriate.
The purpose of this letter is to provide feedback to the victim and to enable him / her to make appropriate enquiries at any PULSE networked Garda Station on the current status of the case. It also affords the victim a further opportunity to avail of victim support services. A full list of organisations providing support for victims of crime will be attached to this letter.
This affords the victim an opportunity to make an informed choice, in his / her own time, in relation to availing of appropriate victim support services. The ultimate objective is to facilitate the victims in availing of appropriate victims support services and to avoid causing secondary victimisation.
A second letter will be sent to the victim in all cases where a person is made amenable for the crime (e.g. charged to appear in court, summoned to court or dealt with under the Adult Cautioning Scheme or the Juvenile Diversion Programme). This letter is intended to improve communication with victims of crime and provide timely feedback.

Conclusion
Members of An Garda will work with the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, statutory and voluntary agencies and victim support services to ensure that victims are afforded appropriate victims support in a caring, confidential, sympathetic and structured manner.
If you are not fully satisfied or if you have any enquiries, suggestions or feedback on any aspect of the treatment of victims of crime by members of An Garda write or call direct to:
The Garda Family Liaison Officer, Community Relations, Harcourt Square, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Telephone number: 01 - 6663802 E-mail: crimprev@iol.ie or to your local Garda Superintendent.
A reply will issue within 21 days.