Sexual assaults - Funding for units should be a priority

Rape is one of the most horrific and potentially deadly crimes, in view of the growing prevalence of HIV and hepatitis, but the sexual assault units in various parts of the country are in danger of collapse due to a lack of proper funding.

Doctors and nurses must undergo special forensic training to work in sexual assault units, but there is a dearth of doctors to undergo the necessary training, as they are so poorly paid.

They are only being paid up to €70 for 24 hours on call, which amounts to a pittance in comparison with the remuneration of colleagues in other branches of medicine.

All the funding for these clinics has been coming from within the health boards, as opposed to being earmarked directly by the Department of Health. The Rape Crisis Centre in Tralee had to send some 15 alleged victims to Cork, due to the lack of doctors or nurses with the necessary training.

Limerick, which has one of the highest instances of rape in the country, must transport victims to Cork in a garda car to undergo the necessary medical examination.

Without the proper medical services, it will become all the more difficult to secure convictions.

The Department of Health apparently has no plans to provide direct funding for sexual assault units in the Budget. It is crazy to treat such an explosive problem as if it were a matter of such little importance.