Funds shortage may suppress rape reporting

FEWER women may report rape because there is no nationwide network of sexual assault treatment centres in hospitals, experts have warned.

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) is concerned the existing 9% rate for reporting of sexual crimes could fall further due to the lack of funding for more facilities to treat rape victims.

It has recommended that there should be a sexual assault treatment centre in each of the country's eight health board regions. However, there are only four such units in Dublin, Cork, Letterkenny and Tralee.

Ingrid Wallace of the RCNI said vast areas of the country were without an adequate service for victims of sexual assault. "Many women are expected to make round trips of over 100 miles to attend such a unit. This can add to a woman's trauma at a time when they are going through a life-altering experience and need to feel safe and comfortable," Ms Wallace said.

"The only thing that a woman wants to do in these situations is have a shower and change her clothes. Instead she's having to go on a three to five hour journey in a squad car."

The issue has been highlighted by the recent decision of the Mid-West Health Board to shelve plans for a sexual assault unit at the Regional Hospital in Limerick due to lack of funding approval by the Department of Health.

Ms Wallace said the lack of facilities for rape victims could act as a further deterrent to reporting the crime.

"We need to make these facilities as accessible as possible. The Rape Crisis Centre in Limerick has the second highest number of callers in the country but no sexual assault treatment centre in the area."

Ms Wallace also criticised the failure of the Government to provide funding to implement recommendations of various studies of rape.

"There has been plenty of money made available for research but very little for proceeding to help and support rape victims by acting on the findings of that research," Ms Wallace said. The RCNI has recommended that funding for such treatment units should also be supported by the Department of Justice.

Ms Wallace also commended doctors who have insisted adequate training should be in place before the establishment of any sexual assault unit.

"It's very important to have adequately trained professionals because defendants almost always have forensic experts in the courtroom to challenge evidence about rape," Ms Wallace said.