Let’s talk about Sexual Assault Treatment & Consent

60 May 28, 2025

Sexual Assault Treatment & Consent

Trigger Warning 

This section talks about sexual assault and getting help after something like this happens. These topics can be upsetting or uncomfortable, and that’s completely okay. Please take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing. If you feel like you need to skip this part, please do. If you want to talk to someone or need support, help is available. 👉 You can contact the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland for support: https://www.rapecrisisireland.ie/ 

If you or someone you know has been affected, there are also services that can help through the SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit) — visit the HSE’s website to learn more: the SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit) section of the HSE website. 

Two healthcare experts, Cristine Pucillo (Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Rotunda Hospital) and Dr Daniel Kane (Senior Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology ) sat down with us to answer common questions related to Sexual Assault Treatment. In particular, they focus on:

  • How to get treatment and support from SATU

  • What consent really means

  • How to support a friend who may have gone through something hard

Click on this highlighted text to watch their responses.  

positive relationships series from debunking the myths. image of text on purple background. Test says: Positive relationships, What is the SATU? Sexual Assault.

What is the SATU? 

Cristine Pucillo, clinical nurse specialist from the SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit) at the Rotunda Hospital introduces the function of the Unit. SATU is a unit staffed with doctors, nurses and midwives who received specialized training to provide care to people of all genders who have experienced sexual assault or rape. All care is FREE of charge and available round the clock.

There are 6 SATU units across Ireland providing 24/7 care 365 days of the year to people aged 14 years and over. We provide care to people of all genders and all care is free of charge. 

What is Sexual Assault? Vs What is rape?

There are legal definitions: differentiating between assaults involving penetration and those that do not. The SATU services around the country provide care for people who have experienced (or think they may have experienced) unwanted sexual contact of any kind.

What if I didn’t want to consent but I didn’t say “no”? 

Sometimes, when we are in a scary or unsafe situation, our body might freeze, and we can’t move of speak. This is normal, but it’s important to know that not saying “no” is not the same as giving consent. Consent means saying “yes” clearly and freely- — without being forced, scared, or pressured.
 If someone is being hurt, threatened, or forced in any way, they cannot truly give consent.

Also, you also need capacity to give consent, which means you need to be able to think clearly to give consent. Certain things can affect your capacity to give consent, such as alcohol drugs, being too young, etc.

Consent is also ongoing, so if you agreed to something before, this doesn’t mean you agree to that something forever. In the same way, if you agreed to something, that doesn’t mean you agreed to everything.

If you’re ever unsure, just ask. It’s always best to be clear and respectful with each other.

 

What Help Can I Get In The SATU? 

What help can I get in the SATU

Dr. Dan Kane, a doctor at SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit), how they help people who come to them after something serious has happened.

When someone goes to the SATU, the most important thing for the SATU staff is to make sure the person feels safe, cared for, and supported.

There are three types of help someone can get at SATU:

1) If they come with the Gardaí, the SATU staff will offer to do a forensic exam: this means they check for any injuries and collect evidence like DNA.

2) If the person isn’t ready to talk to the Gardaí, they can still have a forensic exam. The SATU team will store the evidence safely, so the person has time to decide later if they want to report it.

3) If someone doesn’t want an exam, or if too much time has passed, SATU can still do a health check. They test for things like STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and offer treatment if needed. 

I don’t remember what happened but I think I may have been sexually assaulted – can I still come to the SATU? 

If you have any concerns, trust your instincts. Please reach out to your local SATU, and you can discuss how they can best help you. The SATU team are always happy to speak with you or answer any questions about options of care or resources available to you.  

 

Do I need to come with my parents? Can an older sibling be present instead? 

If someone under 18 goes to the SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit), they must bring a parent or legal guardian with them.

The SATU staff also have to let Tusla, the child protection services, know what happened. This is to help keep the young person safe.  

If someone is 16 or older, they can choose to store evidence without notifying the Gardaí right away. This gives them time to decide what they want to do later.

An older brother or sister can come along for support, but they can’t take the place of a parent or guardian.

How do you support a survivor of sexual assault? 

How to support a survivor

First thing, make sure they are physically safe and that you remain physically safe too.  

If they are in danger, it is very important that you call the Gardaí.
If they are not in an immediate danger, the most important thing you can do is LISTEN. Let them talk in their own way and don’t judge them. Just being there can mean a lot.
Don’t tell them what to do. Let them choose what they feel ready for. When the time is right, you can suggest they talk to a trusted adult — but never force them into doing something that they don’t feel comfortable with.
There are a lot of agencies out there that offer support both to survivors and to you as a support person:  

 

Getting Support

If you feel like you have been sexually assaulted or raped, or you’re not sure but something feels wrong, the most important thing is to ask for help. You are not alone.

Here are some places you can go for support:

 

Debunking the Myths – The Science Behind Our Sexual Health is a series of expert-led workshops and interactive tools for teenagers focused on sexual health. It is created by the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with the Rotunda Hospital to supplement the Relationship Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum.

The aim of the project is to provide clear and factual information in relation to sexual health, sexual assault and consent. For more information visit Debunking the Myths on Instagram or TikTok.