FAQs

No.  The child/ young person will never be forced to undergo a forensic procedure if they do not consent.If a child doesn’t want to go ahead with the examination, we would encourage them to talk about their concerns with someone they trust, or a nurse or doctor.
If you go ahead with the examination, you are allowed to ask for a break.

On arrival, you and your child will be welcomed by the clinical and support staff. You will be given time for your child to become familiar with the unit.

A history of the events leading to your attendance will be discussed in a sensitive manner. Depending on the age and needs of your child, this may be done in privacy while your child is engaged in play in a nearby room or, if the child is old enough, they may choose to be involved in this process.
A full medical history is taken. Details are recorded in handwritten notes. A top to toe examination of your child is undertaken to aim to identify and address all health needs.

For young children, the parent or carer is usually present throughout the examination. Physical examination of your child will take place and if photos of the body are required, this will be carried out with specialised equipment and done with a child friendly approach. This will record any physical injuries if present, which may inform court processes and usually avoids the need to have your child examined again.

The entire appointment can take up to 3 hours, for one child. This includes a medical history of the child/ ren.

After the examination, you and your child (if age appropriate) will receive verbal feedback on any findings and reassurance. Arrangements for follow-up or further referral to other medical services will be agreed upon. You will be given time to ask any questions. A written report will later be prepared for the Garda, Social Worker, or GP, if any are involved.

Yes… You will be provided with an A.S.S.C. leaflet to explore if you require support from an A.S.S.C. Support & Advocacy Officer. This service is available to any parent/carer who is involved in supporting a child’s needs through the forensic process. Our care support and Advocacy Officer worker will offer provide an informative, empathic and a non-judgmental space.

Contact details will be on the leaflet or contact through this website.

Where possible A.S.S.C. provides forensic accompaniment officers, who will be there for you in the unit on the day of examination to offer you and your family support. This is arranged by the SATU units.

Furthermore, the doctor, nurse and administrative staff are highly specialised in the area of child sexual abuse and aim to be sensitive and supportive to you from the first point of contact throughout your engagement with this service.

If a child has disclosed sexual abuse – explain to the child that they are attending a doctor because of what the alleged (person’s name) did. They will have a full check, head to toe and will have some special tests done to make sure you are ok.

Reassure them they have done nothing wrong and that ‘we’ just need to make sure you are ok. Reassure your child that this is not a test to prove that the event/s did or didn’t occur.

If there is no disclosure of sexual abuse but you have a concern, or your child has been at risk. Explain that they are attending the doctor in the unit for a full check, head to toe. Only answer questions the child asks, don’t overload with information.

The doctors, nurses and facilities aim to be child friendly. Some of the SATU’s have age-appropriate toys to entertain the child while you are waiting. A parent or carer is encouraged to remain with the child throughout the examination if the child wishes.