A.S.S.C. (Accompaniment Support Services for Children) is a volunteer-led charity, set up in 2020 to address the gap in the provision of support services for child victims of crime
A.S.S.C. has three core services:
- Forensic Accompaniment Support
- Advocacy Phone Support
- Court Accompaniment Support
You can find out more information at www.assc.ie
We specialise in supporting vulnerable young people and their families, as they negotiate the Criminal Justice System, particularly in cases of child sexual abuse. A.S.S.C. provides support to any young person who is testifying in any criminal trial.
A.S.S.C is the only child-centred charity dedicated to safeguarding children during criminal proceedings and are funded by the Department of Justice. A.S.S.C. is guided by the principles outlined in Children’s First Act 2015.
A.S.S.C. provides Onsite Forensic Accompaniment to young people, and their families when the young person attends the sexual assault treatment unit for a forensic and/or medical examination. This accompaniment is provided at the Child Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service (CASATS), which is co-located with Barnahus West, Galway, and the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Continued crisis support is provided to the family via the A.S.S.C. Advocacy Phone Support service on leaving the unit.
A.S.S.C. currently provides Onsite Court Accompaniment for young people and their families, along with nationwide Advocacy Phone Support, serving parents and caregivers of children referred to A.S.S.C. This service provides ongoing crisis support, information, and signposting to relevant services whilst they negotiate the judicial processes in Ireland.
Our volunteers provide onsite support in CASATS in Barnahus West, SATU Rotunda, and the Criminal Courts of Justice. Volunteers are required to attend extensive training that includes the impact of child sexual abuse; child safeguarding; the forensic medical process; the criminal justice process, responding to disclosures of child sexual abuse, and the invaluable role of the volunteer within these processes. Volunteers only go on the rota after all training has been attended, references taken up and Garda vetting completed.
The recruitment of Volunteers is ongoing and is expanding nationwide. We look for people over 23, with an excellent standard of English, who have kindness, empathy, and a willingness to help. Daytime availability is also essential. We aim to provide the best support for young people and families and to keep the young person at the forefront of the process.
If you are interested in volunteering with A.S.S.C. and becoming part of our committed team, please contact Margaret Dent at 085 139 0217 or volunteercoordinator@assc.ie
Or come and see us at the 50 Plus Show in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa on the 26th & 27th of September
