Rape treatment – Project offers way forward for victims

THE Manchester project, whereby nurses receive training to forensically examine rape victims, would prove to be a major stride forward if proven to be practical and adaptable to this country.

Because of the nature of rape, as well as the attendant trauma of a court appearance and a perceived stigma attached to it, albeit a perverse notion, victims are reluctant to report it to the gardaí.

More importantly, the procedures are not geared to encourage victims of this horrific crime to resort to our criminal justice system.

Largely for those reasons there are no official figures available regarding the incidence of the crime, but the recent annual general meeting of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) heard that there will be an increase in the number of calls and visits to regional rape crisis centres this year.

Yet the odds are hopelessly stacked against those victims who have the courage to report a rape. For instance, victims from any part of the country would have to travel to either Cork or Dublin for medical assessment.

Obviously this is an untenable situation, compounded by a serious shortage of forensic medical officers, often depending on doctors to leave their own practices in order to attend to victims.

However, if the Manchester scheme proves successful, it could be applied here to advantage. To that end, a working committee comprising of Government departments, the Irish Nurses Organisation and the RCNI, among others, will assess it.

While the practical aspect of it aiding alleged victims is straightforward, what is yet untested in Manchester is the question of the acceptance of trained nurses giving forensic evidence in court.

It is crucial that whatever implications emerge in that regard they are addressed to allow this commendable scheme to be introduced here.