Mary Crilly, founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Suppoer Centre in Cork, received a Special Recognition from the jury of the European Committee of the Regions' Adamowicz Award. The award, named after the former Mayor of Gdańsk, who was murdered in 2019, recognises individuals or organisations playing a key role in promoting freedom, solidarity and equality across the European Union. As her nomination was put forward by the European Alliance (EA) Group, Ms Crilly joined the Group Meeting to present the important work carried out by the centre in Cork.
Established on International Women's Day in 1983 as the Cork Rape Crisis Centre, the organisation provides a wide range of support services for victims of sexual violence across Cork City and County. In 2004, it was renamed the Sexual Violence Centre to better reflect the full range of services offered and the broader reality of sexual violence experienced by victims.
“When we started, sexual violence was still very much a taboo, even more so than today," Ms Crilly told EA members, recalling the difficult circumstances in which the organisation began its work. “But despite progress over the years, the core challenge remains the same: we must break the cycle of silence."
EA Group Member and Cork City Councillor Kieran McCarthy first proposed Ms Crilly's nomination for the Adamowicz Award. As a local representative in Cork, he has witnessed the impact of her work first-hand. “I have known Mary for many years and can confirm that she and her team have helped save people's lives," he said. “Sexual violence unfortunately remains a major issue across the EU. Visionaries such as Mary make a real difference, which is why I was proud to put forward her name and grateful for the immediate support from the EA Group."
EA Group President Nanette Maupertuis also underlined the importance of supporting Ms Crilly's nomination. “As a woman, I know all too well that sexual violence remains a persistent problem," she said. “On behalf of the EA Group, I want to express our full support for Ms Crilly's work. Our solidarity also goes to all victims of sexual violence. Let me be clear: we stand with you."
The jury recognised Ms Crilly's contribution with a Special Recognition, awarded during the Committee's most recent plenary session. The Adamowicz Award itself was given to Mr Ikrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul who is currently jailed on political charges. EA Group member and Mayor of Sopot, Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, took the floor during the award ceremony: "Coming from Sopot, just next to Gdańsk, I remember vividly the shock that struck our community after the murder of Paweł. In a way, it is symbolic that we are offering an award named after a murdered mayor to one of his colleagues who is currently imprisoned. I express our strong solidarity with Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the people of Istanbul. I also warmly congratulate Mary Crilly for her lifelong dedication to supporting women affected by sexual violence, which remains an inspiration to us all."