If you are in immediate danger, please contact the Gardaí on 999.
You don’t need to explain what you’re feeling, or what happened.
There are also centres around Ireland which can be contacted by phone, email or by dropping in.
RCCs and STUs provide a safe environment where survivors of sexual violence come first.
All staff and volunteers deeply understand both the realities of sexual violence and the impact of all forms of sexual violence. Survivors’ reactions are viewed as normal responses to trauma and to coping with the aftermath of trauma.
They understand the need to maintain confidentiality.
Contact your local Rape Crisis Centre as soon as possible. A staff member will give you all the information you need to help you make your decisions about what happens next and to support you in whatever you decide to do.
If possible, do not drink, eat, shower or go to the toilet before your SATU visit. Do not throw out or wash underwear or clothes that you were wearing at the time of the assault.
You can contact your local Rape Crisis Centre for support to help you decide whether to report the assault to the Gardaí. The trained support worker can explain what reporting involves, and what can happen afterwards. If you have concerns about reporting the assault because of an issue such as drug use, or immigration status, you can bring it up with the support worker.
They can also help you make appointments and accompany you through the process of reporting.
Remember: You do not need to make any immediate decision about reporting the assault to the Gardaí.
If English is not your first language, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre provides a Helpline Interpreting Service, which provides live interpreting over the phone in more than 240 languages.
Operating hours are:
Monday – Friday 8am to 6:30pm
Monday – Sunday from midnight (12am) to 8am
Click here for details of the Interpreting Service
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, there is a text service available Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443.
And lastly, if a webchat service is a better option for you, there is also a webchat service available.
Operating hours are:
Monday – Friday 10am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
It is also available from midnight to 3:00 on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
You can ask for an interpretation service — the guards and hospitals have contracts with interpreters for provision of services.
Other services available include Bridge Interpreting and Sign Language Interpreting Services which provides emergency out of hours access to interpreters at 087 672 5179.
This service offers access to interpreters for Deaf people in medical or legal crises.
Chime, the National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people also offers a range of services from emotional support to practical advice and services.
Please see more on our page Help for under 18s
Yes. All rape crisis services provide services free of charge.
Rape Crisis Centres are funded by government but demand is always more than the funding will cover. Some centres welcome a donation from clients who can afford it.
If you feel the time is right for you to do something about what happened, there are several options for contacting support services.
Rape Crisis Centres will support you and you can also turn to One in Four to report your experience of child sexual abuse. Their counselling and advocacy teams provide support, and answer any of your questions. They can also provide support in contacting Tusla or the Gardai and can accompany you if you choose to report.
