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Donegal rape victims "betrayed"
13.05.11
DONEGAL rape survivors
have been "betrayed by HSE incompetence" as 25 cases
could face collapse, according to the Rape Crisis
Network Ireland (RCNI).
It was revealed today that the Director of Public
Prosecutions has been informed that 25 rape
prosecutions could be compromised because an
unregistered nurse was working at the Sexual Assault
Treatment Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. It
is understood the nurse had failed to keep up
membership of the Irish nursing board, An Bord
Altranais.
The Donegal Rape Crisis Centre is now on hand to
support the 25 survivors, many of whom are current
or former clients of the centre. Back-up is also
being provided by neighbouring Rape Crisis Centres.
RCNI executive director Fiona Neary said: ‘This is a
very bad day for victims of rape and sexual abuse in
Ireland. We are very concerned for the wellbeing of
the victims in these 25 cases, and for the future of
child protection in Ireland. |
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Letterkenny General Hospital. |
"We know that for
survivors of rape the experience of a forensic
medical examination can be traumatic.
"Many victims choose to do it because they do not
want this to happen to someone else – they want to
prevent anyone else being hurt. The reality is that
for these 25 rape victims, having made the very
difficult decision to have a forensic medical
examination, the possibility of their gaining
justice has been greatly diminished.
"These rape victims have been betrayed by the HSE."
Ms Neary said the RCNI was "angered and deeply
dismayed" by the incident.
"The RCNI have fought for almost a decade to ensure
the HSE provide adequate Sexual Assault Treatment
Units (SATUs) throughout the country and that they
adhere to the highest standards and operate in the
best interest of the survivor. "The excellent work
of all involved and the solid partnership that has
developed between nursing and medical practitioners
within the HSE, the Justice Department, the Gardaí
and the Rape Crisis Sector has now been seriously
compromised by incompetencies within the HSE."
An unregistered nurse carried out forensic exams on
rape victims for 18 months in Donegal's specialist
SATU. Her testimony and therefore the forensic
evidence gathered may not now be admissable in any
court case.
"Communication breakdowns across the HSE appear to
have contributed to this error. This is happening at
the same time that the HSE closes down a proven
National Data Collection system on child sexual
abuse and rape," says the RCNI.
Meanwhile, the group called on Health Minister Dr
James Reilly to reverse the decision to close the
National Data Collection system.
"It is impossible to comprehend this decision by the
HSE to shut down an extensive and reliable source of
information on sexual violence," added Ms Neary.
The HSE has appointed two independent experts to
carry out a review to establish how a staff member
could continue to practice without being registered. |
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