Sexual Assault
Page updated 16 June 2022
Any student or employee who feels they have been subjected to sexual assault may wish to consider the below supports and options available to them.
- Tell yourself: When someone experiences an incident of sexual misconduct, they may be unsure if the incident happened or if it was illegal. It is important to trust your gut instinct and if something felt wrong or uncomfortable then it is likely it was. Remember if you are raped or sexually assaulted it is never your fault. You have done nothing wrong.
- Talk to someone you trust: Try and tell someone you trust what has happened, this could be a friend, a family member or your manager (for employees) / Head of School, Associate Dean, Programme Co-ordinator (for students) or a designated support person.
- Seek medical care: Even if there are no obvious injuries or you don’t want to report the assault to the Gardaí (Police), it is important to seek medical attention if the assault has recently happened. The University can help you with this process such as getting you to a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU). This can enable forensic evidence to be collected whilst a decision is being made about whether or not you wish to make a report to An Garda Síochána (Police). Forensic samples should be collected as soon as possible, but can be collected within up to seven days, and can be stored by the SATU for up to one year. You can also attend your own GP or Emergency Department. The National 24/7 Rape Crisis Centre Helpline is also available for free, confidential support on 1800 77 88 88.
- Avail of internal or external supports as listed on the Supports section of this website
- Call for emergency support: If you feel that you are in danger try to get to a safe place and call a trusted person or Unicare on 01 716 7999 if you are on campus or the Gardaí (Police) 999/112.
What to do Immediately after the event:
If you or someone else may still be at risk or injured call Estates on 01 716 7999 or the Gardaí (Police) on 999 / 112.
If you are not at risk find somewhere safe and warm and call somebody you trust to support you. If you are in Accommodation this could be your Residential Assistant or a member of the Residential Life Team if you do not want to contact friends or family.
Although it may be discomforting to do so, if you have experienced sexual assault it is really important that you preserve any evidence which may help the Gardaí (Police) with subsequent investigations.
To preserve evidence try not to:
- Use the toilet or discard underwear or sanitary products
- Wash, shower or bath
- Wash your hands
- Remove, wash, discard or destroy clothing worn or bedding and towels used at the time of the incident or subsequent to it
- Drink or eat anything, including non-essential medication
- Clean your teeth
- Smoke
- Delete any communications such as relevant texts, social media messages and/or emails.