The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre( DRCC) has welcomed the allocation of €2.5 million in the Budget for Sexual Assault Treatment Units and €4.5 million of ring-fenced funding for rape crisis centres and refuges.
Ellen O'Malley Dunlop, CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said: "We are delighted that the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, has provided the much needed funding for two new Sexual Assault Units( SATUs), in Galway and the Midlands and the upgrading of the existing units.
"We commend the Minister for recognising that prioritising and focusing funding in the area of sexual assault treatment services can bring about real change."
Ms O'Malley Dunlop said rape crisis centres and the Rape Crisis Network, have been lobbying hard to end the traumatic situation for victims of rape, where they had to travel hundreds of miles to a sexual assault unit or wait hours for a forensic examination because doctors were not available.
"This funding means that the recommendations of the National Review of SATUs published in July 2006, including the funding of a forensic nursing programme, can be realised in 2007.
"In addition, the €4.5 million in ring-fenced funding allocated to frontline services including rape crisis centres and refuges means that vital services can be put on a more secure footing, with real benefits to victims of sexual violence and abuse."