Rape Crisis Centre Service

If the assault has only just happened, the staff will help you to get any medical care you need and help you to decide if you want to report the assault to the police (the Gardaí in the Republic of Ireland and the PSNI in Northern Ireland).

If you are being sexually assaulted by a partner or someone you know a Rape Crisis Centre can support and counsel you.

If the abuse happened a while ago, staff can help you with emotional support and counselling.

It is important to realise that the trauma of an attack will have both short-term and long-term effects on your life. Expert support in examining and dealing with these effects is your right. Contact with others who acknowledge and understand your experience and how it has affected you will break the isolation you may feel.

• A helpline to answer your questions, provide support and more. Find a RCC.

• Face-to-face support, advocacy and counselling if you are a woman or man aged 14 and over who has experienced any form of sexual violence. More about counselling (If you are under 14 please ring CARI on 1890 924 567 or go to www.cari.ie)

• A trained person to accompany you to the police, the court, the doctor or a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit if this is what you decide to do

• Information about:
  • recovery
  • police procedures
  • pregnancy testing, the morning-after pill, tests for sexually transmitted infections
  • the legal process

• lobby for better services, improved access to justice, and changes in the law and in policy,

• raise awareness in the community about sexual violence and how to prevent it