City trauma support service may grow

A trauma centre for abuse victims in Londonderry staffed by one qualified counsellor once a week and funded by OFMDFM may be complemented in future by a broader service for victims and survivors. Simon Graham/Harrison Photograph.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said OFMDFM invited tenders for a broader service for victims and survivors with a closing date of January 24, 2013 and that work on this was ongoing.

In January 2012, arrangements were put in place for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse to make full use of the counselling support services provided by Lifeline.

But this was complemented by the Nexus Institute, which provides free counselling and support services to people who have experienced sexual abuse from it office in Londonderry.

Additionally, the Ministers explained: “In October 2012, at the request of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA), OFMDFM funded the WAVE Trauma Centre to provide a drop in and counselling facility for victims and survivors in Derry/Londonderry.

“The meeting place is available from 10am-12pm every Friday morning and a qualified Trauma counsellor is on hand.”