Accompaniment
Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre provides an accompaniment service to any person who has been the victim of sexual violence.
We offer accompaniment through the legal process at Garda stations and in court. The aim of the service is to inform, support and offer accompaniment to anyone who is attending court or making a statement in relation to sexual violence. The service offers victims and their supporters practical and emotional support.
We also provide accompaniment to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit at the hospital to provide psychological and emotional support.
To find out more about our accompaniment service, please contact us now.
The people in the Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre are the candle that lights the darkness” - Survivor
Legal system accompaniment
Information and Support
Our accompaniment service offers information, support and accompaniment to any person making a statement in relation to sexual violence or attending a court case. The service can provide victims/survivors and their supporters with practical and emotional support at any stage of the process.
You can learn more about the legal process for crimes of sexual violence on our reporting pathway page.
We offer practical information and support, as well as guidance on what to expect when reporting a rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse to the Gardaí.
We offer information and support to those attending court as a witness.
The service also offers information and support around decisions by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute as well as sentencing, victim impact statements, and what to expect after a court case.
It is important to remember that a person using accompaniment services can also avail of other supports from the centre, such as the National Helpline and one-to-one counselling.
SATU accompaniment
In the case of a recent sexual assault, a person can either make an appointment themselves or have the Gardaí bring them to the Sexual Assault and Treatment Unit (SATU) closest to their area.
The South East SATU is based in University Hospital Waterford. Tel: 051 842157
What is a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and what happens there?
The SATU is a dedicated unit that provides specialist medical attention and care for victims of rape and sexual assault. Where a person plans to make a complaint to the Gardai, staff can also collect forensic evidence. The HSE has a page for SATUs that describes their work and what happens there.
In the case of a recent sexual assault, there are three options for care at a SATU:
You can report the rape or sexual assault to the Gardai and be brought by them for a medical and forensic examination by the dedicated staff in the unit.
You can make an appointment with SATU directly to have a medical examination only. In this case there is no forensic examination.
If you are not sure about reporting the rape or assault, you can arrange a medical and forensic examination where the evidence can be stored for a year and you can decide on contacting the Gardai.
In all cases, the SATU staff will prioritise your safety and wellbeing, and our centre support will be available.
Centre support at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit
Our accompaniment to court and Garda stations continues - you can call the National Helpline 1800 77 8888 during office hours, Mon-Fri, to make an enquiry.
A centre support person will be present in SATU to provide psychological and emotional support for you and to give information on other services available in the Waterford Rape Crisis Centre and how they can be accessed.
Centre accompaniment service is free, confidential and voluntary. You can take a break or leave at any point.
The experience of any form of sexual assault can be traumatic and forensic testing, where sought, like any other medical examination can be stressful. The centre’s experienced and trained volunteers will be there to support you throughout your time in the SATU.