Telephone-based counselling service Connect is extending its service opening hours for the coming month – in response to publication of the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools.

From this week – the service will open from 5-9pm every evening (seven days) until Tuesday October 8th.

Connect provides professional telephone-based counselling to survivors of abuse at freephone 1800 477 477.

The extension of the service is specifically to support those affected by this week’s publication of the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools run by religious orders.

Connect offers an out of hours counselling service for survivors of childhood abuse. Callers upset or triggered by increased media and public attention on these issues, can get to speak confidentially with a trained Counsellor who can support and guide them.

Connect was established in 2006 following demands from groups representing survivors of institutional abuse that an independent and professional out of hours telephone-based service be established.

Connect is funded by the HSE and normally operates a five-day week. More information at: www.connectcounselling.ie

Further Information

Ronan Cavanagh, Cavanagh Communications: (086) 317 9731.