A new service offering help and support to children affected by homicide in Ireland has been launched.
As CSO figures show Ireland's homicide rate is on the rise (last year saw an increase of 12.7 per cent to 71) the free bereavement counselling service will be run by the victim support group AdVIC.
The specially trained counsellors have worked with An Garda Síochána, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the State Pathologist to create a counselling service directly aimed at children suffering the trauma of losing a loved one to homicide.
AdVIC Chair Barbara Clinton told RTÉ: "The aftermath of a homicide is a time of immense trauma and families across the country are left devastated after their loved one is taken from them."
"While the impact on adults is terrible, the effect on children is far worse.
"Having a parent or sibling suddenly disappear from their lives can fundamentally disrupt their lives and leave them dealing with many issues as they grow older," said Ms Clinton.
To contact the counselling team, email ADVIC at info@advic.ie.
