Sexual Assault Treatment Unit

A Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) is a safe place to go if you have been raped or sexually assaulted. We look after all genders and gender identities, aged 14 years and over. If you’re under 14, you can get help at Child and Adolescent Forensic Medical Assessment Services.

We can help if you have experienced unwanted sexual contact of any kind. We can also help if you cannot remember what happened but think you may have been sexually assaulted. You can bring a friend or family member with you if you want to. All SATU care is free.

How we can help

A SATU can offer you:

• a health check
• medication
• a forensic exam

Your healthcare needs are our priority. We will offer you a health check whether you decide to have a forensic exam or not.

Contact a SATU as soon as possible

We will offer you medication to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. This medication works better when taken as soon as possible. 

If you want the rape or sexual assault to be investigated, you should get a forensic exam as soon as possible. This is because DNA evidence deteriorates (breaks down) quickly. Please contact the SATU to make an appointment for care.

Health check

We will offer you a health check whether you decide to get a forensic exam or not. Health checks vary from person to person but they can involve:

• examining, treating and documenting your injuries

• giving medications to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• organising your sexual health test – you can come back to us to get tested for STIs

• getting you referrals for any other support you need

Medication

During your health check, we will explain the different medication you may need.
These include:

• emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy – you can take this up to 5 days after an assault

• vaccines to prevent Hepatitis B

• medication to prevent HIV (PEP) – you need to take this within 72 hours (3 days and nights) after a possible exposure to HIV

Forensic exam

This is a type of exam carried out to get evidence following a sexual assault or rape. We can take forensic samples up to 7 days after a rape or sexual assault. There are 2 options for forensic exams at the SATU:

• When you want to report the assault and give evidence to the Gardaí straight away.

• Where you need some time to think about whether to report the assault. We can store the evidence for up to one year and the Gardaí will not be present. This option is available to patients 16 years or older.

For more information about a forensic examination, please visit the HSE website

If you were assaulted more than 7 days ago

Although it’s too late to get forensic evidence, you can still arrange an appointment with SATU. We can help with sexual health testing and give you referrals for any other help you may need.

Confidentiality

If you’re 18 years or older, we will keep your details confidential. This is unless there’s a concern that you or anyone else is at risk of serious harm. If there’s a Garda investigation linked to the assault, evidence may need to be shared in court.

The Gardaí will talk you through this process if needed.
If you’re under 18, by law, healthcare professionals have to protect children from harm. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted and you’re under 18, it has to be reported to Tusla and the Gardaí.

This is to keep you safe and to provide you with support. You will need to have a parent or trusted adult with you at the SATU. This is because sexual assault is a crime and we need to make sure you are not in any further danger.

If you are worried about telling your parent or guardian, we can help by discussing your options.

There are six SATUs distributed nationally to provide holistic, responsive and patient focused care to individuals who are 14 years and over who have experienced or believe have experienced a sexual crime. The aim is that nobody in this country is more than 3 hours’ drive from their nearest SATU.

Dublin
Rotunda Hospital
Parnell Square
Dublin 1
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01 8171736 (8.00am – 5.00pm)
Out of hours: Phone hospital 01 8171700 and ask for SATU

Mullingar
Midland Regional Hospital
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 044 9394239 or 086 0409952 (8.00am – 5.00pm)
Out of hours: Phone hospital 044 9340221 and ask for SATU bleeped.

Waterford
University Hospital,
Waterford
Dunmore Road
Co Waterford
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 051 842157 (8.00am – 5.00pm)
Out of hours: Phone hospital 051 848000 and ask for SATU.

Galway
The Willow Centre
Faustina House, IDA Small Business Centre, Tuam Road, Galway
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 091 765751 or 087 6338118 (8.00am – 4.00pm)
Out of hours: Phone 091 757631 or 091524222 and ask for SATU.

Cork
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital
Old Blackrock Road,
Co Cork
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 4926297 (8.00am – 4.30pm)
Out of hours: Phone hospital 021 4926100 and ask for SATU.

Donegal
NOWDOC Premises
Justice Walsh Road, Letterkenny
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 0681964
Out of hours: Phone 0870681964 and ask for SATU.

SATU Services in Ireland

For more information about the SATU services in Ireland, please visit the HSE website

Gardaí

You can also get help from your local Garda station in person or by phone. Contact details for your local Garda station 

Rape Crisis Centre

If you were sexually assaulted at any time in your life, the Rape Crisis Centre can help. They offer advice and support on where to go depending on your situation.

Freephone: 1800 77 88 88 (24-hour helpline)

Accompaniment Support Service for Children (A.S.S.C.)

Accompaniment Support Service for Children (A.S.S.C.) was set up in 2020 to address the needs of young people as they negotiate their way through the Criminal Justice System. Our service provides accompaniment and advocacy for young people and their families at different stages through the justice system.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is the national representative body for Rape Crisis Centres in Ireland, The RCNI role includes the development and coordination of national projects, supporting Rape Crisis Centres to reach quality assurance standards using expertise to influence national policy and social change. The RCNI is a national information and resource centre on all aspects of sexual violence, with a proven capacity in strategic leadership including contributing and advising on the necessary infra-structure for a national response to all aspects of sexual violence.

If patients disclose a sexual assault to you please offer them the options of care as described above.

GPs

If patients disclose a sexual assault to you please offer them the options of care as described here.

We require that an appointment be made in advance of a patient’s attendance. While in the SATU, patients may be offered emergency contraception and Hepatitis B vaccination. Following risk assessment some patients may be prescribed post exposure prophylaxis for HIV with appropriate follow up with the Infectious Disease department of the Mater Hospital. All patients who attend SATU are offered the choice of a summary of their care to be sent to their GP.

Call SATU on 01 817 1736