The Galway Rape Crisis Centre’s annual church gate collection is this coming weekend October 30 and 31. The centre depends on the generosity of the people of Galway to be able to continue the work it does, and time and time again, the people of Galway have not let it down.
All of the monies collected go towards the free services, the 24-hour helpline received over 2,180 calls in 2009. It provided 2,609 face to face counselling sessions, and with an increase of eight per cent in demand last year a total of 518 individuals contacted the centre for its various services. One of the services that has seen a dramatic increase in demand is the centre’s 24 hour call out support service.
The launch of a recent annual report highlighted some stark figures, 40 per cent of its clients were abused under the age of 11; eight per cent of those were under the age of four. In total 60 per cent of all its clients were abused under the age of seventeen. It is also worth noting that the number of male clients attending the centre has doubled since 2007.
This year to support its church gate fundraising, it has printed 3000 donation envelopes for distribution with the Galway Advertiser. If you get one, please make a donation and send it back. The GRCC free phone helpline 1 800 355 355
