Sexual violence is an all-encompassing term - we use it to include rape, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner sexual violence, sexual harassment, coercive control and other forms of abuse.

If you think you may be the victim of sexual violence, get in touch with us today.

Sexual assault is a wide ranging term that refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the victim. It can include:

• Attempted rape

• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching

• Forcing someone to perform sexual acts

• Being made to look at pornography

It is important to remember that sexual assault is never the fault of the victim - it is always the fault of the perpertrator.

If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault, we can help so get in touch.

Rape is penetration (no matter how slight) of the mouth, anus or vagina with an object or the penis without consent. Rape is never the victims fault - it is always the fault of the perpertrator.

If you or someone you love has been raped, contact us today.

Child sexual abuse is when a child is forced or maniuplated into taking part in sexual activity. It can take many forms, including:

• Being made to watch sexual acts

• Being made to look at pornography

• Being watched in a sexual way

• Being touched in a sexual way

• Being made to masturbate or to masturbate the abuser

• Being raped (penetration of mouth, anus or vagina by any object, by a finger or penis)

The majority of perpetrators are someone the child or family knows, but they can be strangers, too. The important thing to remember is that you can heal from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse. To get help, contact us today.

Try to get to a safe place and seek support from someone who can help you now. If you are injured, seek medical attention – call 999 or 112.

Call our freephone helpline (1800 32 32 32) or the National 24 Hour Freephone Helpline (1800 77 88 88) for support and information on options.

Remember - this is not your fault and you are not to blame. If you feel comfortable, you should attend your local Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. They will provide you with medical attention and can also collect forensic medical attention. Someone from the Centre will support you through this, so please call (1800 32 32 32).

If you feel comfortable, you can report the assault to the Gardaí by finding your local station or calling 999 or 112. The Gardaí will want you to attend the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and may then ask you for a preliminary statement.

At any stage of the process, we are here to answer your questions and support you.

Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATU) provide specialist care for people who have recently been sexually assaulted or raped. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have a parent or legal guardian with you to give permission for a forensic examination.

We are here to help you through this process so please make contact with us through our freephone helpline (1800 32 32 32) or by emailing us.

The SATU services respond to requests from Gardaí to aid the legal process. They also provide services for people who do not wish to report the incident to the Gardaí. There is no charge for any of the SATU services or follow up appointments.

The closest Sexual Assault Treatment Unit is in Mullingar Regional Hospital. You can make an appointment through the Gardaí or by calling 044 9394239 or 086 0409952 Mon -Fri 08.00- 17.30. Outside of these hours, you may call the Gardaí or the hospital directly on 044 93 40221.

Rape Crisis Centre counsellors will give you, or assist you in obtaining, all the information you need in order to be able to make a decision about whether to report or not. If you do decide to approach the Gardai, we can arrange this for you, and can facilitate the statement being taken in a Centre if that feels safer than going to the Garda station.

• If you decide to go to the Gardai, the following information should be helpful to you: Bring someone you feel comfortable with. You are entitled to have them stay with you if you want. However if they are present during the taking of your statement their details need to be included and they may be called as a witness. For this reason, the Gardai may ask that you not be accompanied during the actual taking of the statement. If however you want the person present insist on it!

• Make a note of the names of any Gardai or detectives you have significant contact with from the time you first report. THE GARDAI HAVE A DUTY TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF YOUR CASE

• You may ask to speak to a female Garda, if you wish.

• If you are reporting a recent assault, take a change of clothing including coat and shoes as the Gardai may keep the clothes you were wearing to gather forensic evidence.

• Do not take any alcohol or drugs, but if you have done so before the recent assault this should not prevent you from reporting.

• If reporting an assault/rape - report as soon as possible. There is no time limit, but valuable forensic evidence is lost quite quickly.

• If reporting an incident of child sexual abuse, or of sexual assault/rape that happened some time ago, it is of advantage to have as many witnesses as possible who can testify to strengthen your case.

• The Gardai will ask you questions but they should only be relevant to your case.

• You will be asked to make a written statement; this means a detailed description of the events before, during and after the attack. Make sure you read your statement carefully and change it if necessary, before you sign it. You are entitled to, and should request, a typed copy of the statement you have given.

• If you remember other details at a later stage, you can make a supplementary statement. If the alleged perpetrator is identifiable, the Gardai may interview the person soon after you make your statement.

• If the identity of the perpetrator is unknown to you and the Gardai arrest a suspect you may be asked to look at photographs or attend an identity parade.

• You may also be asked to go with the Gardai to where the incident took place, in order to try to identify the person who assaulted you.

• If you feel you are not being treated well by the Gardai at any stage of proceedings, you can insist on seeing the duty officer or you can make a formal complaint.