Sex assault service sees one child per week

THE country’s only dedicated 24-hour examination service for child sexual assault victims dealt with more than one child a week last year — the youngest of whom was aged 18 months.

The service, for children and adolescents in the west and mid-west, was set up voluntarily last year by consultant paediatrician Dr Joanne Nelson, who had to lobby extensively to have it funded by the HSE.

The service saw more than 52 young people in 2011. Dr Nelson said two consultants now provide 24-hour cover at least 98% of the time, in and out of hours, and are hoping to train up more forensic examiners in child and adolescent sexual assault in the next few years to ensure long-term sustainability.