Info for Patients

Information for Patients

SATU offers three options of care, however at all times the patient’s medical need takes priority. It is also important to remember that early reporting of sexual crime to An Garda Siochana is encouraged.

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Option 1

Patients is >14 yrs old, has been sexually assaulted within 7 days and wants to make a complaint to An Garda Siochana for a Forensic Clinical Examination.

Patients are encouraged to report any sexual crime to An Garda Siochana. This ensures that a full response can be provided. Reporting should take place as soon as possible after an incident. While forensic samples can be collected up to 7 days after an assault, the first 72hrs is the optimum time frame.

An Garda Siochana will contact SATU and patients will be seen in SATU in the presence of An Garda Siochana where a forensic clinical examination will be carried out. Psychological support from the DRCC will also be offered.

At the end of the forensic clinical examination An Garda Siochana will take possession of the forensic samples and deliver them to Forensic Science Ireland in the Phoenix Park for forensic analysis.

Patients are offered medications as required (eg emergency contraception, preventative treatment for infectious diseases) and are given follow up appointments to return to SATU for a sexual health screen.

Option 2

Patient is >18yrs old, has been sexually assaulted recently, does not want to report to An Garda Siochana and is requesting a health check.

Patients may have been sexually assaulted within 7 days or in the recent weeks, months or years but DO NOT want to report to An Garda Siochana.

Depending on the duration of time since the incident a sexual health screen is offered to these patients to check for any sexually transmitted infections.

Patients are offered medications as required (eg emergency contraception, preventative treatment for infectious diseases) and are given follow up appointments to return to SATU for a sexual health screen.

Patients are also linked in with psychological support from the DRCC.

NO forensic samples are taken from these patients.

Option 3

Patients is >18yrs old, has been sexually assaulted in the last 7 days and is undecided if they want to report to An Garda Siochana (Storage of Evidence).

Patients can attend for a forensic clinical examination without the presence of An Garda Siochana if they are over 18yrs old and within 7 days of a sexual assault. Psychological support from the DRCC will also be offered.

A forensic clinical examination is carried out and the forensic samples are placed in a locked freezer for a period of one year in SATU.

Patients thus have the opportunity to report to An Garda Siochana at any stage within the year after which the forensic evidence will be destroyed. If the patient’s wishes that the forensic samples are stored for an additional year they need to contact SATU directly to inform them of this intention.

Patients are offered medications as required (eg emergency contraception, preventative treatment for infectious diseases) and are given follow up appointments to return to SATU for a sexual health screen.

Reporting a sexual assault to An Garda Siochana

Patients are advised to report sexual crime to An Garda Siochana as soon as possible after the event.

An Garda Siochana will then contact SATU to arrange an appointment for a forensic clinical examination.

Patients are advised not to shower, bathe, use the toilet, smoke, eat or drink prior to the appointment.

Patients will meet with a psychological support worker from DRCC.

A forensic clinical examination will be carried out by the forensic clinical examiner in SATU following consent from the patient.

The examination involves:

• taking a medical history
• noting details of the disclosed incident to guide the examination required.
• examining the body from head to toe for injuries
• genital examination
• taking of forensic swabs and samples
• medication administration – emergency contraception, antibiotic to protect against Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea and Hepatitis B vaccination.
• shower, fresh clothes and refreshments offered.
• appointment given for sexual health screen.

Garda will not be in the examination room during intimate examination.

This procedure is for option 1 and option 3 (without Garda presence)

Option 2 involves a brief history prior to the genital examination.

Option 2 involves taking genital swabs, urine specimen, blood tests – for sexually transmitted infections.

Relevant medications (emergency contraception and preventative treatment for infectious diseases) are also offered and provided if appropriate.