Campaigns & Events

Rape Crisis Network Ireland works towards a society free from abuse. To that end we identify, promote and lead on change. At present the RCNI's four priority campaigns towards change concern:

 

Additional RCNI campaigns include: 

In 2006 Rape/Sexual Assault: National Guidelines on Referral and Forensic Clinical Examination in Ireland was published. The designing and drafting of these guidelines were a collaborative effort between the RCNI, the Department of Health & Children (DoHC), an Garda Síochána Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit (DVSAIU), the Forensic Sciences Laboratory, a doctor and nurse from the Dublin Rotunda SATU and other nursing personnel. In addition to being distributed to all relevant personnel in this country, these guidelines are now being used as a source for best practice standards in various European countries.

Also in 2006, the RCNI participated in the Sexual Assault Review Committee along with the Department of Health & Children, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Justice, Quality & Law Reform (DJELR), an Garda Síochána DVSAIU, medical personnel from the SATU in the Rotunda, nursing personnel from the CARE unit in Letterkenny, the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), nursing education personnel, GPs, a paediatrician, and personnel from RCCs. This committee was responsible for the drafting of Sexual Assault Treatment Services: A National Review. This report reviews existing SATU services, identifies gaps in adult services, and makes recommendations to address those gaps.

In order to implement recommendations in the Sexual Assault Treatment Services: A National Review, a National SATU Standardisation Committee was formed in 2007. That ongoing committee is chaired by the HSE. The RCNI actively participates on this committee, along with a number of HSE personnel and RCC personnel. Two new units opened in 2009, one in Mullingar and the second in Galway. Local RCCs are actively involved in both of these units.

For the past two years, the RCNI has been collaborating on Rape/Sexual Assault: National Guidelines on Referral and Forensic Clinical Examination in Ireland. Partners in this group include nursing and medical personnel from the SATU in the Rotunda and the CARE Unit in Letterkenny, nursing education personnel, An Garda Siochana DVSAIU and the Forensic Science Laboratory. These guidelines have now been approved and will be made available to all relevant professionals.