More than 500 sexual assault victims from young teens to the elderly were cared for at specialist units last year, new figures revealed today.
Almost 95 per cent of those seeking help from the State’s six treatment centres were female, with more than half claiming to know their attacker.
While the average age of those cared for at the Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) was 24, the full age range was 13 to 80.
Launching the 2009 report, Minister for Health Mary Harney admitted the results were worrying.
“The statistics launched today must obviously be a source of serious concern,” she said.
“However, it is reassuring to know that victims of sexual assault can now access forensic clinical examinations as well as more holistic physiological and psychological follow-up care delivered by the highly trained specialist nurses and midwives.”
More than 85 per cent of cases were referred to units by the gardaí. Almost one in nine victims reported sexual assaults within seven days, with 88 per cent of cases involving a single attacker. In 51 cases, multiple assailants were involved.
Ms Harney said the annual report was important for the future development of the units.
“The service has a vital role in assisting recent victims from a number of different perspectives, including immediate physical and psychological care for the victim, collection of forensic clinical evidence for potential future legal cases and referral to longer-term support,” she added.
Last year two new units opened in Mullingar and Galway, joining existing centres in Cork, Waterford, Letterkenny and Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital.
Each of the units has at least one clinical nurse specialist (CNS) along with forensic medical examiners and support nurses providing round-the-clock care.
“The presence of the CNSs has had an immensely positive impact in terms of the breadth and depth of services offered,” Dr Maeve Eogan of the Rotunda Hospital said.
“The SATUs can now offer preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infection to all patients and are also providing care for men and women who may not want to report an incident to An Garda Síochána.”
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland welcomed the additional units but warned rape crisis centres were severely under-funded.
“We continue to require a ring-fenced budget to allow for the ongoing functioning of such vital services,” spokeswoman Susan Miner said.
‘It is unacceptable that while the SATU in Donegal is now more accessible, and nurses trained as clinical forensic examiners are available, the local rape crisis centre has no funding in order to provide expert psychological support for victims.
“Like rape crisis centres throughout the country Donegal RCC is today in fact in a worse position as a result of ongoing cuts by the HSE and is now expected to provide additional services on even less funding.”
PA