National crime helpline sees contact from Donegal

A CRIME helpline which has seen a surge in contact relating to extortion, hate crime and fraud has received calls from Donegal.

The national Crime Victims Helpline (CVH) 2023 Annual Report details an increase in contacts relating to extortion and blackmail, particularly in relation to ‘sextortion’ in 2023, with 197 contacts in 2023, compared to 69 in 2022 and just 24 in 2021.

Contacts relating to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images also continued to increase with 187 contacts in 2023.

This compared with 109 in 2022 and just 29 the year previously.

The report noted too that contacts in relating to LGBTQ Hate Crime further increased by 81 per cent during this period.

According to the report, calls from Donegal to CVH made up two per cent of its overall contact in 2023.

Nationally, CVH recorded 6,507 contacts with service users in 2023, with an increase of 15 per cent in calls and 43 per cent by email when compared with 2022.

Notably, an increase of 58 per cent in contacts has been recorded by CVH since 2016 when their current record keeping system was put in place, reflecting the continued high demand for its services across the country.

CVH also made over 3,000 referrals in 2023 to a large variety of different organisations, supports and resources.

This reflects the wide-ranging needs of people who are harmed by crime. As with previous years, the vast majority of referrals were made to the Gardaí and Garda Victim Service Offices.

Michele Puckhaber, Chief Executive, said: “With the release of our 2023 annual report we have recorded a further increase in demands for our services with contacts overall increasing by 10 per cent from 2022. This year, we noted a significant increase in calls concerning extortion and blackmail, particularly relating to ‘sextortion’, while contacts in relation to fraud, both in person and online, also continued to rise.”

Staff and volunteers of the Crime Victims Helpline provide emotional support, information about the criminal justice system, crime victims’ rights and compensation, and sign post the service user to additional supports that can help.

CVH also provide an interpreter service from Monday to Friday, thanks to help provided by global company, LanguageLine, as well as the many volunteers already working within the CVH who can provide services in multiple languages.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee said: “In a year that saw the largest number of service user contacts since its establishment, the 2023 Annual Report highlights the essential role they play in supporting victims of crime. My Department and I are dedicated to continuing our support to this invaluable organisation, enabling them to extend their reach and raise greater awareness of the critical service they provide.”

The national Crime Victims Helpline can be contacted on freephone 116 006; by texting 085 133 7711; by emailing info @crimevictimshelpline.ie, or by webchat at www.crimevictimshelpline.ie.

Crime Victims Helpline can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X (Twitter) (@crimevictimsline).

Contact times are Monday to Thursday10am to 7.30pm, Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday and bank holidays from 2pm to 4pm. Callers can call the Helpline at any time outside these hours and leave a message, and the call will be returned when the Helpline reopens

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