Garda Victim Service Offices (GVSO)

The Garda Victim Service Offices within An Garda Síochána ensure victims of crime are kept informed about the progress of their case and the supports available to them throughout the Criminal Justice process. In addition, supporting all victims of crime is now part of every anti-crime strategy within An Garda Síochána. These offices and the staff assigned to them are responsible for communicating with victims of crime, prioritising their needs and acting as a central co-ordination point in each Division for the provision of information, support and services to Victims of Crime.

Each Garda Victim Service Office works as a central point of contact within their Garda Division to offer assistance to victims of crime and trauma. They supplement victim support activity already being undertaken by the Investigating Members you have come into contact with as a result of the investigation you have been involved in. The details for your nearest office and be found here - Your local Garda Victim Service Office.

The offices are staffed by dedicated, specially trained personnel operating to a Standard Operating Procedure. Their role is to keep victims informed of all significant developments associated with their case, as well as provide contact details for state funded support/counselling services specifically for Victims of Crime.

The Victim Service Offices are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Victims of crime can choose between receiving contact from the offices by phone and/or letter or email.

In crimes such as burglary, assault or criminal damage, victims of crime receive a follow-up call from the Victim Service Office to ensure they have all the information they require including the contact details of the Investigating Garda dealing with their case. Victims can also raise any issues they may have in respect of the provision of information or services they have received with their local office. They will be provided with crime prevention advice and details for external services available from other State and/or Non-Governmental Agencies.

While incidents of a more serious nature involving victims of domestic violence, sexual crime or other crimes where there is serious trauma involved, the Garda Victim Liaison Offices do not offer updates to the individuals involved in these types of incidents. These individuals will be provided with personal contact in all instances throughout the investigation up to and including court proceedings and will be given advice and directed to support by the Investigating Member or specialist Gardaí assigned to their case.

There are 22 Victim Service Offices – one for each operational Garda Division and the national Garda Victim Liaison Office which is contained in the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and is responsible for the management of the Garda Victim Services Offices.

The following useful support documentation is available to Victims of Crime for their assistance and guidance throughout the investigation process.

The Garda Victim Booklet

The Garda Victim Information Booklet is available electronically in 40 different languages below and provides information of the necessary supports and services available to a Victim of Crime throughout an investigation. Should an individual wish to obtain a hardcopy of this booklet, it can be requested from your local Garda Victim Service Office and one can be posted to you free of charge.

The information booklet is also available in both Audio File, Sign Language and Braille. A copy of the audio file and sign language video are contained here:

Audio Files for the Victim Information Booklet

Irish Sign Language Videos of the Victim Information Booklet

A copy of the braille booklet can be requested from your local Garda Victim Service Office and one can be posted to you free of charge.

Support Services Available to Victims of Crime at each stage of the Investigation:

Other Useful Information pertaining to services available to Victims of Crime

Victims of Road Traffic Collisions – PARC Road Safety Group

PARC Road Safety Group is a non-profit road safety advocacy group that works with agencies like An Garda Síochána to improve road safety. The two organizations collaborate on issues such as road safety strategy, providing support for victims of road traffic accidents, and commemorating road traffic victims.

Telephone: 086 377 3784

Website: www.parcroadsafety.ie

Email: susan@parcgroup.ie

Victims who are Tourists – Tourist SOS

Tourist SOS and is a free nationwide support service. Available 7 days a week and they are committed to assist international visitors who experience a crime or other distressing incidents, including;

• • • travel document replacement
    • bank/credit card cancellation
    • reporting a crime to Gardaí
    • rescheduling flights
    • and other emergency support.

Telephone: 01 66 10 562 

Email: info@touristsos.ie

Ruhama:

Ruhama provides a range of free and confidential services for women impacted by prostitution or sex trafficking, including casework, counselling, health and wellbeing support, legal and immigration assistance, and employment and education help. Support is tailored to individual needs.

Telephone: Freephone 1800 02 02 02

Texting: REACH to 50100

Email: support@ruhama.ie.

Domestic Abuse:

Supporting and protecting domestic abuse victims is a priority for An Garda Síochána. To access information in over 27 languages developed specifically for victims of domestic abuse, please click here.

Women’s Aid:

Women's Aid is a national, feminist organisation working to prevent and address the impact of domestic violence and abuse including coercive control.  The organisation work to ensure women are believed.

Telephone: 1800 341 900

Email: helpline@womensaid.ie

Men’s Aid:

Men's Aid provides confidential support for male victims of domestic violence and coercive control through a national helpline, counselling, peer support groups, and court assistance.

Telephone: 01 5543811

Email: hello@mensaid.ie 

Advic:

The organisation is run by families who have been bereaved by homicide. They assist families who find themselves in similar circumstance.

Telephone: 086 127 2156.  

Email: info@advic.ie

Support After Homicide:

Is a national voluntary organisation which provides emotional support and practical information to people in the Republic of Ireland whose lives have been affected by homicide. It is a free confidential service provided by trained volunteers nationwide.

Telephone: 087 9837322.  

Email: supportafterhomicide.ie

One In Four:

Is an Organisation that provides professional psychotherapy and advocacy for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and their families. The group's mission is to end the trauma of child sexual abuse, and its services include individual and group counselling, legal support through the justice system, family support, a prevention program for those who have caused harm, and research into the issue. 

Telephone: 01 6624070. 

Email: info@oneinfour.ie