Episode 2. Margo Noonan: Raising Awareness - The Many Faces of Sexual Abuse

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Taboo podcast, where we shed light on society's most sensitive and unspoken truths. Today, we are joined by Margo Noonan, a dedicated advanced nurse practitioner specializing in sexual assault forensic examination at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Cork, which she now leads. With over two decades of experience, Margo has been instrumental in updating the Irish National Sexual Assault Response Team guidelines, enhancing support for victims across Ireland.

Margo shares her journey, her passion for education, and her relentless advocacy for victims of sexual violence, especially the youth. She speaks candidly about the immense challenges and the broader societal implications of sexual violence, including the alarming prevalence of adolescent perpetrators, the stigma surrounding male victims, and the increasing aggression influenced by modern pornography.

This episode also delves into the importance of open conversations about sex, relationships, and consent, highlighting the need for comprehensive education that encompasses both pleasure and safety. Margo emphasizes the critical role of educators, parents, and the entire community in fostering a safer, more understanding society for all.

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Margo Noonan is a dedicated Advanced Nurse Practitioner currently heading the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in Cork City. A registered nurse since 2000, Margo specializes in sexual assault forensic examination and plays a vital role in developing the updated fifth edition of the Irish National Sexual Assault Response Team Guidelines, which guide the care of all sexual assault victims in Ireland. With extensive experience in presenting both nationally and internationally on sexual assault services, Margo is also a respected lecturer for Irish law enforcement and higher education institutions. As a board member of CYPSC, she advocates for young people affected by Domestic, Gender-based, and Sexual Violence (DGSBV). Margo has been appointed as an Honorary Teaching Associate with the Faculty of Nursing at the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing in the RCSI. Her MSc work focused on developing educational interventions to challenge male rape myths among adolescent boys, leading to outreach in over 44 schools in Munster to educate young people about sexual violence. Recently, she was awarded an employment-based scholarship from the College of Medicine and Health and the South South West Hospital Group to further develop educational programs on sexual violence for adolescents, their parents, and teachers. Margo is also actively involved in enhancing the skills of pre-hospital emergency care teams for handling sexual violence disclosures at large-scale events. Margo’s clinical expertise lies in addressing the complex physical, social, and psychological needs of sexual assault victims. Throughout her career, she has been honored to hear the stories of those she supports, allowing her to create impactful educational resources tailored to their unique needs. Above all, Margo is a proud mother of two amazing young people, aged 19 and 16, who, along with her partner of 24 years, Rob, have been her greatest supporters. Margo cherishes time spent with family and friends, whether at celebrations or relaxing gatherings filled with laughter and music. A fun fact about Margo is that she grew up on Spike Island before its transformation into a prison, giving her treasured childhood memories and a special place in her heart for the island, celebrated through annual reunions.

 

Resources:

Sexual Assault Treatment Unit

Address:

South Infirmary - Victoria University Hospital,

Old Blackrock Road,

Cork,

T12 X23H

 

Tel:

021-492 6297 (Within Working Hours)

085 8760578 (Outside Working Hours)

 

Email: [e-mail]

Website: https://sivuh.ie/

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr. Fiona Barry is a distinguished healthcare practitioner with over 3 decades of experience in both Western / Modern and Eastern / Traditional medicine.  Holding a PhD in Pharmacology and a degree in biomedical sciences, she transitioned from cardiovascular research to the more holistic approach of Chinese medicine.  She also supports people in their emotional and psychological challenges with the likes of Quantum Thinking Transformation (QTT) and coaching.

 

Fiona's integrative approach has supported several thousand people individually in navigating challenges in such areas as hormonal health, fertility, trauma and chronic pain, with tremendously positive feedback and results.

 

Throughout her clinical practice, Dr. Fiona regularly encounters clients burdened by shame and isolation, voicing sentiments like "I've never told anyone that befor