Rise in teens between 14 and 16 attending Cork Sexual Assault Treatment Unit

There was a 6% increase in attendances by children aged between 14 and 16 to the Cork Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) last year.

In an annual report published by the Health Service Executive, it was revealed that the Cork SATU saw total attendances rising from 165 in 2024 to 174 in 2025.

This was the second-highest number of attendances at a sexual assault treatment unit outside of Dublin.

According to the HSE, the demographic distribution regarding gender identity remained “consistent with historical reporting trends” in Cork, with 90% of attendees identifying as female, 9% identifying as male, and 1% identifying as other.

The HSE further said that Cork SATU observed notable shifts in the age distribution of service users, seeing the most significant increase occurring among the 14- to 16-year-old age group.

Attendances rose

Attendances made by children within this age group rose from 4% in 2024 to 10% in 2025, despite a decline the previous year.

The 35- to 45-year-old age group also saw a 5% increase, representing 18% of the total.

A 10% decrease was recorded in the 25- to 35-year-old age group, dropping from 30%, with minor decreases also noted in the 16- to 18-year-old and 18- to 25-year-old demographics.

The report found that the majority of patients (125) attended the service within seven days of an incident.

Of these, 56 presented within 24 hours, while 69 attended between 24 hours and seven days.

Regarding reporting preferences, 80 patients chose to attend in the presence of An Garda Síochána, while the remaining 94 opted for a health check or evidence storage without immediate garda involvement. 

The data shows that 37 patients utilised the forensic evidence storage option, which provides service users with extra time to consider formal reporting, marking a 4% increase from 2024.

Delays occured

While the service saw 95% of patients within the three-hour target, delays occurred in four cases due to a “recurring infrastructure limitation”.

The HSE said the delay was attributed to the facility being at full capacity, with the unit already in use by another patient at the time of the request, reinforcing the need for ongoing planning and physical facility expansion.

“Extending the SATU workspace remains a critical priority to mitigate capacity-related delays and ensure consistent, immediate access to services during periods of peak demand,” said the HSE. 

However, the report further revealed that formal funding has been allocated for the relocation of Cork SATU, with planning ongoing in 2026 for co-location with Barnahus South at St Finbarr’s Hospital on the Douglas Road.

Barnahus provides trained professionals to work with the child and family when there is a concern or disclosure of child sexual abuse.

It facilitates the agencies responsible for child protection, criminal investigation, medical care, and therapy services to work together and deliver a co-ordinated and effective response which is guided by the child’s best interests.

“This investment is a vital step toward rectifying current space constraints and ensuring our infrastructure can support high-quality, trauma-informed care into the future,” it added.