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.