These findings were shared at an event last week (Friday 8th June) to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre. Speaking at the event, Ruth Butler, Centre Manager said “We are delighted to be marking 25 years of the essential work of the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre. The Centre provides a safe, non-judgmental and discreet space for women and men who have been sexually abused, sexually assaulted, raped or sexually harassed, at any time in their lives, to receive one to one Counselling and Support. We also provide Support Counselling for non-abusing relatives or friends of survivors.”
KASA, the new name for the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre, was also unveiled at the event. The new name is the result of a decision to re-brand the Centre after feedback from clients, particularly survivors of historic sexual abuse, showed that many of them initially believed the Centre’s services may not be for them.
“The feedback highlighted that because of the ‘Rape Crisis’ term in our title, many survivors of past sexual abuse, rape or assault believed our services pertained only to those who had been recently raped or assaulted. We provide Counselling & Support to all survivors of sexual violence and their families, whether the abuse is recent or in the past. We undertook this re-brand to ensure that we help as many people as possible in need of our services. Our highly experienced Counsellors have been helping and supporting survivors and their families in the process of healing and recovery in Kilkenny for 25 years. We look forward to continuing this work under our new name KASA.” continued Ruth Butler.
KASA currently provides a broad range of services to survivors of sexual violence and their families :
Confidential Helpline – free and confidential listening and support service. Freephone 1800 478 478
Counselling for Survivors – free and confidential Counselling for women and men who have been sexually abused, sexually assaulted, raped or sexually harassed, at any time in their lives.
Accompaniment Services – Members of KASA’s team can accompany survivors to the Doctor or the Gardai. They also accompany survivors to Court and assist in the drafting of Victim Impact Statements.
Support Counselling for Family/Friends – free and confidential Counselling for non-abusing relatives or friends of survivors.
School Workshops – KASA runs a Schools Programme for Transition Year + students, in conjunction with Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge. The programme explores topics including Consent, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence and the roles of Alcohol and Social Media.
Psychosexual Therapy – free and confidential therapy for individuals and couples of same and/or opposite sex relationships experiencing issues with sexual dysfunction, sexuality and relationships.
KASA currently employs a team of six highly experienced Counsellors, all of whom are members of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (I.A.C.P.) or the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP). All Counselling provided by KASA is free, one to one and completely confidential.
KASA’s Helpline : Freephone 1800 478 478
National Rape Crisis Centre Helpline (24hr) : Freephone 1800 77 88 88
