Faster forensic exams for ‘horrific’ SA cases
Faster access to forensic exams in sexual assault cases will start today under new changes announced by the state government.
Midwives will now be able to conduct forensic medical examinations on people who have experienced sexual assault, state Ministers saying this would better support victim-survivors across SA.
The announcement came after the state’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Sexual and Family Violence found regional victim-survivors of domestic violence faced lengthy wait times or had to travel significant distances for a forensic exam.
Health Minister Blair Boyer, Deputy Premier Kyam Maher and Chief Midwifery Officer Rochelle Griffin together announced at the Royal Adelaide Hospital that the examination changes would start from today.
Maher said the changes meant “there are more people right around South Australia that victim survivors can go to at these really horrific and horrifying times for them”.
Midwives who undergo specific forensic training would be allowed to conduct examinations in sexual assault cases.
Maher said forensic examinations were a “vital step in any potential criminal proceedings and timely collection is important”.
Boyer said the training would take about 40 hours and be conducted through the Women’s and Children’s Yarrow Place rape and sexual assault service in North Adelaide.
He said any of the state’s 2400 midwives could opt in to the training, with nurses and other health practitioners are already able to conduct the exams.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in our workforce, particularly in our midwives, to do this in a very professional way, but also bring, I think, the kind of compassion and empathy and understanding that midwives are really well known for in their work,” Boyer said.
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“To bring it into this space where they are working alongside and examining people who have been through an absolutely shocking and traumatic experience, who need someone there who not only has the requisite technical skills to undertake the forensic examination, but also I think has a real degree of empathy and understanding to support that person through what is a horrible time, no doubt, for them as well.”
The Royal Commission recommended this change when it handed down recommendations last year.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Minister Alice Rolls said expanding who can conduct the exams “removes unnecessary barriers”.
“The Royal Commission challenged us to do things differently. At an already distressing time, the last thing a victim-survivor should face is a system that adds to their trauma,” Rolls said.
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