<p>
	Sexual Assault Treatment Units are planning to allow victims of sexual assault or rape the option of preserving biological evidence for a year.</p>
<p>
	This will give them time to decide whether they want to press charges after a sexual assault.</p>
<p>
	There are six SATU units in Ireland which provide services to women and men who have been sexually assaulted or raped.</p>
<p>
	Doctor Maeve Eogan, Clinical Director of the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and the national SATU services, says the service could be up and running by January 2015.</p>
<p>
	Doctor Eogan said: &quot;Our aspiration is to increase the amount of choice available to patients.</p>
<p>
	&quot;At the moment the patients have to make an all-or-nothing decision, either to report a crime immediately after it happens or decide not to report that crime.</p>
<p>
	&quot;Obviously people are making these decisions at a time of intense emotional stress and consequently we want to increase the options available to patients.&quot;</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sex-assault-victims-to-get-choice-of-preserving-evidence-at-units-for-12-months-644826.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sex-assault-victims-to-get-choice-of-preserving-evidence-at-units-for-12-months-644826.html</a></p>
