Sharp increase in people seeking sexual assault treatment at Rotunda
Ottoline Spearman
The number of people seeking specialist care at Rotunda following a sexual assault increased by 12 per cent last year.
The Dublin hospital's sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) recorded one of its busiest years on record with a total of 443 people seen, accounting for 41 per cent of all SATU attendances nationally.
This mirrors the national trend, which saw 2025 as the busiest year ever across the entire SATU network.
At Rotunda, the vast majority of those who attended the SATU unit last year identified as female.
The ages of those attending ranged from people under the age of 14 to people over the age of 70.
Where urgent care was required, the majority were seen within three hours of requesting support, and nearly nine in ten people had the opportunity to speak with a psychological support worker at their first attendance.
June was identified as the busiest month, with Wednesdays the busiest days of the week. While most incidents occurred overnight and at weekends, the majority of people attended the service during daytime hours.
Care pathways included forensic examination with An Garda Síochána, evidence storage, and a health-check option, ensuring people could access medical care and support regardless of whether they chose to engage with the criminal justice system.
SATU said that the record level of activity highlights the vital role of the service and the importance of continued investment and support to ensure it can meet growing demand.
Professor Maeve Eogan, Clinical Lead for National SATU Services and Consultant at The Rotunda Hospital said: “Every person who attends the Rotunda SATU is seeking care, safety and support at an extremely difficult time.
"Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that people were seen promptly and supported with dignity and care, but these figures clearly demonstrate the ongoing pressure on specialist services and the need to plan for continued demand.”
The national SATU network comprises six units nationwide and provides around-the-clock specialist care to people who have experienced sexual violence.
The SATU unit at Rotunda provides care regardless of whether individuals choose to report to An Garda Síochána, and it works closely with specialist support services to ensure a holistic response to sexual violence.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
