VICTIMS OF CRIME - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

If you've been a victim of a crime, it can be a very upsetting and confusing time. Not only are you dealing with the emotional fallout of the crime itself, you may have to navigate elements of the criminal justice system.

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The Victims Charter is here to help — it outlines your rights and explains what support is available at each stage of the process.

You are not alone. Support is available, and information can be found at victimscharter.ie.

CIARA'S STORY

It was just after Halloween - after the clocks had changed and it feels like it’s dark all the time.

I was walking home from work, around 7pm. I was about two minutes from home when suddenly something hit me out of nowhere.

I never thought my area was dodgy or dangerous, so that night I guess I was just unlucky to be walking by when this guy was looking for someone to rob.

He hit me in the head and I fell to the ground. I felt a crack in my wrist and even though it all happened so fast, I remember thinking, “Well, that’s broken.”

I must have been in shock, because I didn't even notice him grabbing my bag and I barely registered which way he ran.

I heard someone yelling and suddenly there was a man and a woman talking to me, trying to help me up. I was grateful for their help and they walked me to my door. She wrote down her phone number in case I needed anything or the Guards wanted to speak with her.