Last year was one of the busiest on record for the facility based on the grounds of Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital
The Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) at the Rotunda Hospital recorded one of its busiest years in 2025, with a significant increase in the number of people seeking specialist care and support following sexual violence.
The unit supported 443 people last year, a 12 per cent rise on 2024, when 394 patients were seen by the service.
The 2025 figures accounted for 41 per cent of all attendances to the six sexual assault treatment units around the country.
The rise in attendances mirrored broader national trends, with 2025 confirmed as the busiest year ever recorded across the entire SATU network. The majority of those attending identified as female, with people accessing care at the Rotunda SATU ranging in age from under 14 to over 70.
Prof. Maeve Eogan, Clinical Lead for National SATU Services and Consultant at The Rotunda Hospital said: “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.”
While demand remained consistently high throughout the year, June was the busiest month, and Wednesday the busiest day of the week for the service.
Despite most incidents occurring at night and at weekends, the majority of people attended the service during daytime hours, highlighting the need for sustained staffing and resources across the full week.
Despite increased demand, Rotunda SATU continued to deliver timely, responsive care. 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.
Care pathways at Rotunda SATU included forensic examination with gardaí, 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.
Last year saw the national network of SATUs expand with the relocation of the south-east service from University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to its own dedicated, stand-alone premises.
The new unit features two treatment rooms, two waiting-rooms, kitchenette, admin support and sanitary facilities. It is staffed by a team including an advanced nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist, with liaison as required with colleagues and other departments in UHW, the HSE’s community healthcare services, the Rape Crisis Centre and An Garda Síochána.
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