Two new sexual assault treatments units are to be set up, and nurses are to receive specialist training in forensic examination of victims of sexual assault, it was announced yesterday.
Ministers of State at the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform Seán Power and Frank Fahey jointly launched a national review of sexual assault services in the State.
This found existing services seriously wanting, pointing out the five that exist developed in an ad hoc manner, and without consistency of practice and management. Only one, in the southern region, has funding from the Department of Health and Children, and is assured of sustainability.
All existing treatment units suffered from a lack of forensic clinical examiners, who are GPs from their local areas called in when needed to examine the victim of a sexual assault. Such an examination, which can take up to two hours, serves two purposes: providing immediate treatment to the victim, and collecting DNA and other forensic evidence for any future criminal prosecution.
One solution suggested by the review was the training of nurses in forensic nursing, leading to them giving expert evidence in court as well as treating victims.
It recommended a pilot project initially in forensic nursing, combined with getting An Bord Altranais to approve a higher diploma in forensic nursing.
The review also found serious gaps in services for victims in the Mid Western, Western, Midland and North Eastern Health Service Executive (HSE) regions. This led to long delays between the time a crime is reported to the Garda and the carrying out of a forensic examination.
Author of the report Angela O'Shea suggested the fact the reporting of cases of sexual assault to the Garda was less than half the national average was linked to the lack of services for victims. The review proposed the opening of two new sexual assault treatment units, in Galway and the Midlands region.
It also found gaps in services for child victims of sexual assault, but added that developing appropriate services was complex and went beyond the scope of the review.
It recommended the standardisation of existing services, ensuring victims receive appropriate psychological and emotional support, as well as assistance in making complaints. Services should be co-ordinated between the different agencies and subject to national guidelines.
Mr Power said the Department of Health and Children would implement the recommendations, and that money would not be a problem.
However, Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) said it was deeply disappointed the Government had not resourced the recommendations in the review.
Fiona Neary, RCNI executive director, said: "This lethargic approach to issues of providing adequately for victims of sexual violence within the criminal justice system, even when the next steps are fully explored and could not be clearer, is all too familiar."