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WATCH Rape Crisis Midwest dance video to raise awareness for their vital services

Dainty Daisies in action for Rape Crisis Midwest pictured above

WATCH Rape Crisis Midwest dance video to raise awareness for their vital services

By I Love Limerick correspondent Mary Caroline McCarthy


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Covid-19 has had a massive effect on charities all over the country. Normal fundraiser events and people’s donations have been seriously stunted from the Government restrictions that have been enforced since the beginning of March. One of these charities that are suffering from a lack of funds in Rape Crisis Midwest.

Covid-19 has not stopped Rape Crisis Midwest from holding their annual fundraiser, although in a slightly different format. Usually around October, Rape Crisis Midwest would hold their annual Dainty Daisies event at the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis which involves a beauty pageant with the twist being all men involved will dress in their best outfits, answer questions on stage and then perform a party piece.

This year things are different; this year ten former Dainty Daisies volunteered their time to take part in an online dance video raising awareness of the importance of supporting the vital supports and services that Rape Crisis Midwest provides.

Rape Crisis Midwest has provided support and a wide range of services to thousands of people, throughout the three counties of the Midwest since its beginning in 1980. It was started by a group of women and men who were concerned about the lack of services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Since then, they have worked to provide comprehensive information, professional support, and a quality counselling service for survivors of sexual abuse and violence throughout the Midwest region. Their vision is of a society where the rights of all adults and children to live a life free from all forms of sexual violence are upheld. They also aim to raise awareness, not only for the support of victims but for sexual consent and the prevention of abuse and violence.

This video is a promotional video to highlight an increase of over 50% in calls to our centre during the period from March to September. This comes along with a drop of 75% in annual fundraising income is leading to a strain on services at a time when they are needed the most.

The men who perform in the video are from a variety of backgrounds from accountants to poets and they have all competed in previous events.

When asked why he got involved, Cormac McCarthy, explained, “In a time when domestic abuse and sexual violence in on the rise it was a small gesture to help keep such amazing and vital services running. We wanted to stand in solidarity with the victims to let them know they weren’t alone.”

Verena Tarpey of Rape Crisis Midwest said, “Many who come through our doors will never go public about the abuse they suffered. We therefore rely on the public to raise awareness of the work we do and to give a voice to those who are silenced.”

You can donate to Rape Crisis Midwest by either texting RCM to 50300 to donate €4 (Texts cost €4. Rape Crisis Midwest will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service provider LIKECHARITY: Helpline 076 6805278) Or click HERE to donate to their fundraiser.

 

To learn more about the vital services Rape Crisis Midwest provides, go HERE

For more stories about Rape Crisis Midwest, go HERE 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.