Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
208. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the regular on-site therapeutic sexual violence supports that are available to women in Dóchas and Limerick prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22477/22]
View answerI want to assure the Deputy that a range of prison and in-reach services are made available to women in custody who are victims of sexual violence. Victimisation due to sexual violence requires both trauma-informed and trauma-specific interventions in the prison context and trauma-specific services which are clinical services including psychotherapy, counselling, addiction services, psychology, psychiatry and specialist nursing support among others.
More specifically, the Psychology Service in both the Déchas Centre and Limerick Prison provide bespoke mental health assessment and interventions for victims of sexual violence. In this regard the first full time permanent Senior Clinical Psychologist in Limerick Prison commenced work the week beginning 2 May 2022 and will will work closely with the Senior Clinical Psychologist in Dochas Centre in developing consistent, trauma-specific services for women in custody.
Separately, crisis support is provided by the Nursing Team, who are on-site 24 hours a day and by Primary Care GP, with assessment by the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit if required. Further therapeutic referrals are made as appropriate to the Rape Crisis Centre (psychotherapist on-site in both prisons), psychiatry, Merchant’s Quay and other services as required and I understand that contact with An Garda Síochána is supported in parallel, as appropriate to the individual’s context.
