Backing for campaign to open sexual assault support centre in Limerick

COUNCILLORS are to lobby Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to open a centre in the region to support victims of sexual assault.

At this month’s full council meeting, members supported a motion from Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara to open a Satu, or a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit locally.

These facilities offer free, confidential medical care, forensic exams, and support for people after sexual assault.

READ MORE: Update on plans for new facility to tackle overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick

Limerick is the only city in Ireland not to have a centre, and the northside councillor says it must change.

“In Limerick, survivors receive a service that is not in line with those of other cities. They are unable to receive health checks, or the storage of evidence, and, crucially, they must present to the gardai who then take over control of their journey,” he said.

Cllr Hickey-O’Mara said survivors often have “mixed” experiences of dealing with gardai.

He accused Ms MacNeill of a “dereliction of care” towards local survivors.

His party colleague, Cllr Elisa O’Donovan seconded the motion.

She said survivors in Limerick have to call 999 or 112.

“How horrific is it if someone who has been sexually assaulted, or raped, and they have to call 999, and they can’t ring a number to get through to a healthcare professional,” she said.

Support for the motion also came from Cllr Ursula Gavan, Independent.