A new unit opened in Galway today to treat victims of sexual violence and is the first of its kind in the west of the country.
The establishment of the sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) is the result of “sustained pressure” over the last seven years, campaigners said.
Welcoming the opening, director of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland Fiona Neary said the service would make “an immediate difference to victims”.
“The absence of a SATU in the west has been a source of additional distress and trauma to victims from this region.
“We know that victims have chosen not to report because forensic examinations were not available – even during the weeks prior to the opening of the new service.
“With the right supports, victims are more likely to report and more likely to stay with the legal process. Rape crisis centres throughout Ireland provide expert support to those attending SATU.”
Ms Neary said her organisation had been working sinced 2004 to bring about adequate SATU services in Ireland.
“The sustained pressure and attention given to this issue by the public, the media and local politicians in Galway was essential in bringing this about. The Galway Rape Crisis Centre (RCC) has spent seven years fighting for this service. We commend them in particular.”
The Galway SATU is on call 24 hours a day to meet the immediate needs of victims of crimes of sexual violence. It can be accessed by calling gardaí or the Rape Crisis Centre at 1800 355355. Victims of sexual assault do not have to decide to report the incident to gardaí to avail of SATU services.
The services are developed in partnership between the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, the RCNI, the local Rape Crisis Centre and, in the case of the new unit, the Galway Rape Crisis Centre. It is run by the HSE.