Ahern slams shortage of medical services for rape victims

It is unacceptable that Dublin rape victims cannot access medical help at weekends and it won’t happen again, the Taoiseach told the Dáil.

Opposition leader Enda Kenny raised complaints by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) that there has been no doctor on call at the Rotunda Hospital’s Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in recent weeks.

Mr Kenny said that sexual assault or rape victims could not shower or change their clothes for up to 48 hours to preserve forensic evidence, until they saw a doctor.

The DRCC has called for €2.8m in funding to upgrade the country’s four treatment units in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Letterkenny.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil: “These victims have to go through the anguish, torment and mental desperation every weekend.

“We have €54bn to spend on public services but we cannot provide €2.8m for sexual assault units.

“This should be a matter of political priority for everybody inside the House and outside the House.”

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he has personally spoken to the Health Service Executive in relation to the Rotunda, which is in his constituency, and it won’t happen again.

He said: “It is not acceptable and women should not have been treated in that way. It shouldn’t have happened.”

In September, the Rotunda Treatment Unit catered for 38 sexual assault or rape victims.