Crime victims find a refuge at Mayo charity

In a high-profile case, Sergio Correia, a Portugese national, was jailed for eight years at the Central Criminal Court last October for the rape and coercive control of his wife Kathleen.

Sligo-based Kathleen Correia waived her legal right to anonymity to allow her ex-husband to be named Last week, Kathleen told the Western People of the important role played by the Kiltimagh-based Federation of Victim Assistance in supporting her on her journey to get justice.

“I knew nothing about Victim Assistance until I was referred to them by the Gardaí,” Kathleen said. “After I had finished making my statements to the Gardaí, they referred me to Victim Assistance in Kiltimagh. I spoke with Mary (McNicholas) on the phone and then I met Mary and Tom (Brophy, the chairperson). They are really lovely people. 

"They were so understanding; they were so supportive - offering to do anything they could to help me. They were a point of contact for me as well and it was a great help when sometimes on a bad day to be able to give them a call. 

"They used to ring me to check in to see how I was doing. They supported me so much. They helped me to get housing sorted for myself and the kids, they couldn't do enough for me to.” 

Kathleen first contacted the Gardaí in 2019 and her journey to justice was plotted through the very difficult Covid period when restrictions were in place.

“I always felt I was a priority for them,” Kathleen added. “They constantly checked to make sure that I was doing okay, they advised me to go to other agencies and they put me in touch with organisations to get help and some support.

“When you are the victim of any crime, it totally derails your life, and you don't know how to move forward and it's great to have an organisation like Victim Assistance that can offer you practical advice and support. 

"Going to the Gardaí was my first move. Victim Assistance provided a listening ear and they were so supportive and they had empathy, and they genuinely cared, that's how I felt, and that’s very important. 

"They were sensitive, considering the circumstances I was there for, and there was nothing that I felt I couldn't ask them. And if they could help in any way, they always did. I felt they went over and above for me, and for my kids.

"If I wasn't referred there, I would never have known anything about the organisation, and wouldn’t have had their wonderful support.” 

Kathleen said she had a number of interactions with a specialist unit in the Gardaí and made statements to them about her situation.

“I had six or seven trips to the Gardaí making my statements. At the end of that process, the Gardaí told me about Victim Assistance. I had never heard of them. 

"I think they are a great organisation. They are there for victims of any crime at all. 

"The whole process of dealing with a crime shakes you as a person, it affects your confidence and you are kind of in survival mode afterwards and you are trying to function on some sort of a normal level. It’s very hard to see things or deal with things. 

"Victim Assistance are independent and while they are hugely sympathetic to the situation, they are able to step back and they can listen to what you are saying and they can offer their advice and support. I found them to be a really great help to me.” 

Kathleen's husband pleaded not guilty so she faced a lengthy trial but decided to attend court alone.

“Victim Assistance offered to attend court with me but I declined. I had other offers of court accompaniment too during the trial from the Rape Crisis Centre, but I felt that was something I wanted to do on my own. I didn’t bring any family with me or anyone.” 

Kathleen said that the Kiltimagh-based organisation offered support in a number of ways in an evolving situation.

“They were great all along the way. They were able to advise me in a sympathetic way based on where I was at - at that time in my life; they were able to advise on what help I would need next or what might be the best thing for me. They knew what the next step was when I didn’t. 

"The main thing that I was in need of was housing for myself and my three children. That’s the biggest priority for any family and it was my biggest priority. They helped me a lot with that. They were brilliant. They were so dedicated just to make sure that myself and the kids got sorted with housing. Now, it did take time, but without them, I wouldn’t have got a house. 

"They made numerous representations on my behalf to Sligo County Council. They brought me there and they attended meetings with me to get me sorted. 

"I was in a bad situation and they were a great help to me and I am very thankful to them for that assistance. And all the time they kept in touch with me to make sure I was doing okay; that I was coping.

"They always supported me and never judged me or criticised anything I was doing. Your mental health can be more important than your physical health sometimes.” 

Kathleen said that victims of any crime should not hesitate to contact the Federation of Victim Assistance.

“They are a wonderful sympathetic, empathetic and supportive organisation and were vital for me to get through what I had to get through. I can’t thank them enough. People should not be afraid to speak out if something bad happens behind closed doors.” 

The Federation for Victim Assistance is a voluntary organisation founded in 2005 and based in Kiltimagh. The registered charity offers a range of services designed to assist victims and those that have experienced a traumatic incident in coping with the effects of crime and trauma. The service is also available to victims’ family members. 

The Federation also promotes awareness about services for victims of crime and campaigns across a broad range of issues concerning victims. While they do not provide financial assistance, their service is free and confidential.

They can be contacted directly and in confidence at any time on freephone 1800 277 477 or by text at 083-1231028 or during working hours at 094-9000251. They can be contacted by email at support@victimassistance.ie. Where possible, they try and reply to all queries within 24 hours.