Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 2

Written Answers. - Services for Victims of Rape.

Dick Spring

Question:

142 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if he will outline any plans for the establishment of a support service by the State for victims of rape who become pregnant; and if he will provide a timetable for the implementation of these reforms.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

Specialist investigation and treatment services for persons who have been sexually assaulted or raped are available at the Sexual Assault Unit, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. The unit provides facilities for the effective collection and processing of forensic evidence and a structured environment for the examination and treatment of victims of sexual assault and rape. This service is designed primarily to meet the needs of the population within the functional area of the Eastern Health Board but is available, where necessary, to persons resident in other health board areas. Victims of sexual assault and rape outside the Eastern Health Board would, of course, have access to local general hospital services for medical examination and treatment.

In the case of child and adolescent victims of sexual assault and rape, investigation and treatment facilities are in operation at specialist units located in the Children's Hospital, Temple Street and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin. Outside the Eastern Health Board area a special allocation was made during 1988 to each of the other seven health boards for the purpose of establishing appropriate services in their respective areas. Services are now in place in each health board.

Following medical assessment and treatment in the immediate aftermath of sexual assault and rape, victims, including those who become pregnant as a result of rape, are referred to support services, both statutory and voluntary, for on-going counselling and support to deal with the trauma of the assault. Multi-disciplinary teams of health professionals in each health board area provide the necessary psychological support services for victims.

In the area of services provided by voluntary bodies, I recognise, in particular, the valuable contribution of rape crisis centres throughout the country in the support and counselling of victims of rape and sexual abuse. State funding of £152,000 for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and £25,000 for each of the five rape crisis centres located in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Clonmel has been allocated for 1992 to ensure that the valuable work being carried out by the centres is continued.