Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) and Rape Crisis Centres (RCCs) in Ireland
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Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs)
There are six Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) across the country where you can have a forensic examination and get health advice, without contacting the Gardaí. (NB if you prefer to visit your GP, they can also provide these services, including emergency contraception).
- You can phone the SATU nearest to you and make an appointment directly. Find your nearest SATU here
- You can also make an appointment via a Rape Crisis Centre or the Gardaí.
- If you are in Limerick, there is an additional out-of-hours SATU service which can be contacted through the Gardaí.
For more information visit HSE.ie — Where to find a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit
Also see our page Advice if it has just happened
Antrim
The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Antrim Area Hospital
45 Bush Road, Antrim,
County Antrim,
BT41 2RL
Helpline: (+44) 0800 389 4424
Website: https://therowan.hscni.net
Cork
Cork Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Service available 24 hours a day 365 days a year
- Located in South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital, Cork
- Sexual Violence Centre Cork psychological support workers are available to all attending patients
Open Hours: Monday – Friday, 0830-1630
Contact: 021 4926297 / 021 4926100 Bleep 789
Out of hours or week-ends contact: Nursing Admin 021 4926100
Donegal
Donegal Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Services available 08.00 – 20.00 hrs
- 365 days a year
- Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre psychological support workers are available to all attending patients
Located in NoWDOC premises, Old Town, Letterkenny.
Services can be accessed via Sexual Assault Treatment Unit: 087 0681964 or via 074 9104436
Out of hours please contact: Letterkenny General Hospital Emergency Department on 074 9125888 ext. 3595
Dublin
Dublin Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Dublin Rape Crisis Centre psychological support workers are available to all patients
Located in Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 1.
For advice or to book an appointment ring the unit on 01 8171736
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 08.00 and 16.00.
Out of hours contact
Rotunda Hospital 018171700 and ask for SATU.
Galway
Galway Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Service available 24 hours a day 365 days a year
- Located in a dedicated building near Galway racecourse
- Galway Rape Crisis Centre psychological support workers are available to all attending patients
For advice or to book an appointment contact your local Garda Station or ring the unit 091 765 751
or 087 633 8118
Opening Hours: Mon -Fri 8am to 4pm
Out of hours contact your local Garda station.
Limerick
Sexual Assault Services Midwest
- Available 365 days a year
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 6.30pm – 8am
Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays: 24 hours
SATU services available through contacting the Gardaí directly.
Mullingar
Mullingar Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Located in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar
- Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre psychological support workers are available to all attending patients
For advice or to book an appointment contact the Gardaí or ring the unit 044 9394239 or 086 0409952
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 0800 – 1730
Out of hours or week-ends contact your local Garda Station or call nursing administration via hospital switchboard on 044 93 40221
Waterford
Waterford Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU)
- Service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse centre psychological support workers are available to all
attending patients
Located in Waterford Regional Hospital
For advice or to book an appointment contact the SATU directly on 051 842157 or
Out of hours contact the nurse on call via the hospital switchboard on 051 848000
Information about visiting a SATU (Click here):
SATUs look after everyone regardless of sex, gender or sexuality, aged 14 years and over.
If the victim is over 14, they can attend a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) for a forensic examination to be carried out, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Call your local Sexual Assault Treatment Unit to discuss options.
If you are over 16, you can access health services at a SATU without consent from a parent or guardian – should forensic sampling be required, consent will be required from a parent or guardian for those aged between 16 and 18.
If possible, do not drink, eat, shower or go to the toilet before your Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) visit. Do not throw out or wash underwear or clothes that you were wearing at the time of the assault.
- You will be asked some general health questions as well as what happened. This is only to understand how you may have been harmed, and to decide on the right physical checks and to take forensic samples. The staff understand that it may be difficult to share the details of what happened and you won’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.
- You can bring a friend or family member with you for support if you wish. You can also have a support worker with you from a Rape Crisis Centre or another service.
- You can change your mind at any point and not to go ahead with the examination. You can stop or ask for a break at any time and ask questions.
- Tell staff if you have consumed drugs and alcohol. The staff may arrange for blood tests within 48 hours of the incident. For urine tests, they can take place within 120 hours of the incident – these are in case you were drugged or had your drink spiked. It’s important to be tested as soon as possible.
- You may be offered emergency contraception and sexual health screening.
Evidence
A GP or staff at the SATU can carry out a forensic examination in order to get evidence. The best time for forensic samples to be collected is in the first 72 hours after the assault.
But samples can still be collected within 7 days of the assault.
The Sexual Assault Treatment Unit can store forensic samples for up to one year. If you decide within a year to report what happened to the Gardaí, this forensic evidence will support your statement.
Rape Crisis Centres (RCCs) in Ireland
There are 17 Rape Crisis Centres around Ireland.
A Rape Crisis Centre (RCC) is a safe space for survivors of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse to work through trauma with specially trained counsellors and psychotherapists.
