4:50PM · 25 OCT 17

Dr Eogan continues: “Regarding pregnancy after rape, while it is infrequently seen in those who attend [Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, SATU] services, the extrapolated rape related pregnancy rate is 5%. This estimate results from a three-year survey of over 4,000 women regarding the prevalence and incidence of rape and related physical and mental health outcomes.

“This was published more than 20 years ago, although in broad terms the figure is consistent with recent data from [the Rape Crisis Network Ireland]. An individual’s pregnancy risk will of course be influenced by the time in the menstrual cycle at which the incident occurred as well as other variables.

“While few pregnancies occur in the population who attend SATU services for care, women do become pregnant after sexual violence – either because they did not disclose the incident (and thus did not receive emergency contraception), or because EC failed.

“Studies have identified that women who become pregnant after sexual violence may only present after the first trimester of pregnancy, which of itself limits options in terms of decision making with regard to continuing the pregnancy.

In 2015, 5% of women attending an Irish Rape Crisis Centre reported that they became pregnant as a result of rape, the majority went on to give birth and parent. Other outcomes included miscarriage and stillbirth, adoption/fostering and termination of pregnancy.

“Termination of pregnancy for a woman who is pregnant as a result of rape is currently only available in this country if there is a substantial risk to her life (including risk of suicide) which can only be averted by termination of pregnancy.

“Additionally, as under-disclosure of sexual violence is common, it is very likely that women who have become pregnant as a result of sexual violence are represented in the population who travel for termination of pregnancy in another jurisdiction.

“It must also be emphasised that even if termination of pregnancy was available for women who conceived as a result of sexual violence, it would absolutely not be appropriate to mandate that these women would be obliged to report the details and circumstances of this incident to An Garda Síochána or other regulatory body prior to being ‘approved’ for termination of pregnancy.”