We recently welcomed over 50 staff members from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) to our offices for a pro bono training on data protection. Now in its third year, the tailored training event is an opportunity for DRCC to come together as an organisation and to update their knowledge for the work that they do on a daily basis. As an organisation that provides support to people affected by sexual violence, data protection is an important part of safeguarding the privacy, dignity and trust of the people who turn them for support. 

DRCC’s mission is to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape and other forms of sexual violence, and they carry this out by providing services such as counselling, a 24-hour helpline for survivors, and advocacy work. Protecting highly sensitive information is particularly important to the work of DRCC, as its staff and volunteers are regularly entrusted with deeply personal information, and maintaining trust and confidentiality is fundamental to the support they provide to their service users. Supporting DRCC with this training is a key example of the kind of partnership our pro bono programme strives to build with frontline organisations carrying out essential work in the community. 

Why data protection matters

DRCC has been at the forefront of the response to sexual violence for more than 40 years. They advocate on behalf of survivors of sexual violence to help ensure that they have access to responsive and sensitive services provided by law enforcement officials, medical personnel and the courts. For example, information may sometimes need to be shared with other organisations and agencies. Because of the highly sensitive nature of their work, keeping their staff’s data protection knowledge and training current is an important  ongoing priority. DRCC need to ensure that people can be confident that their personal information will be treated appropriately when seeking support at an extremely vulnerable point in their lives. 

Regular training to refresh fundamental principles of data protection, the rights of data subjects under the GDPR, and recent changes to the law allows staff to build on their existing knowledge and stay informed as the organisation’s own services evolve. Maintaining this knowledge across the organisation helps staff approach data protection issues confidently and consistently in their day-to-day work.

How we helped

Vivian Spies from our Technology and Innovation Group led the delivery of the training, with a focus on the practical application of data protection requirements in DRCC’s work. The training content paid particular attention to handling sensitive and special category data and the care required when sharing information with other agencies.  

Frontline organisations face difficult questions around when information can or should be shared and how sensitive information should be handled appropriately, and these topics were addressed throughout. 

The training session also covered how individuals can request access to their data, a topic raised directly by attendees, providing practical guidance on how to manage requests appropriately in the context of DRCC’s services and the requests they receive from the people they help. 

The impact

The training session provided a chance for the full staff of DRCC to gather together and revisit areas of data protection that can be complex in practice as well as ensure that they have a shared understanding of their responsibilities.  

Shirley Scott, Policy Manager at Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, speaking on the impact of the training, said: 

“The session was clear, practical, and so relevant to the realities of our work. Your generosity in sharing your time and expertise makes a real difference in strengthening our confidence to meet our data protection obligations.”

The training session supported DRCC in protecting the privacy of the people who rely on its services and maintaining the trust that is so important to its work. We look forward to continuing to support DRCC’s work in the future, including providing ongoing legal support to respond to their changing needs. 

DRCC staff at our recent data protection training session.