❓ A parliamentary question regarding the availability of forensic medical services for sexual assault victims in regional Western Australia, and the government's response outlining the current provisions and future plans.
AnsweredQoN 391Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Sexual assault—Forensic medical services—Regions391.Hon Michelle Boylanto theparliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:I refer to the
availability of forensic medical services for sexual assault victims in
regional Western Australia.(1) How many regional hospitals in Western
Australia currently have staff trained to conduct forensic medical examinations
for sexual assault victims and how are these sites geographically distributed?(2) In cases where no forensic trained staff are
available at a regional health facility, what is the standard protocol for a
sexual assault victim presenting for care?(3) Does the minister
acknowledge that delays or travel requirements for regional victims risk
underminingthe collection of timely forensic evidence, and what steps are
being taken to address this?
secretary representing the Minister for Health:I refer to the
availability of forensic medical services for sexual assault victims in
regional Western Australia.(1) How many regional hospitals in Western
Australia currently have staff trained to conduct forensic medical examinations
for sexual assault victims and how are these sites geographically distributed?(2) In cases where no forensic trained staff are
available at a regional health facility, what is the standard protocol for a
sexual assault victim presenting for care?(3) Does the minister
acknowledge that delays or travel requirements for regional victims risk
underminingthe collection of timely forensic evidence, and what steps are
being taken to address this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Pierre Yang replied:I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.(1) A total of 52 healthcare facilities across all
regions.(2) All medical staff are permitted under the
relevant legislation to conduct a forensic examination and specimen collection
with Sexual Assault Resource Centre guidelines and advice regardless of whether
they have forensic training.(3) Travel delays are generally the result of
needing to attend a hospital or healthcare site and is comparable to any
medical care that requires attendance at a hospital. Steps to address
collection of timely forensic evidence include the introduction of early
evidence kits (EEK), and steps are being taken to allow Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency registered Aboriginal health practitioners to be
permitted under the current legislation to conduct forensic medical examination
and collection as per existing process.
Sexual assault—Forensic medical services—Regions
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.(1) A total of 52 healthcare facilities across all
regions.(2) All medical staff are permitted under the
relevant legislation to conduct a forensic examination and specimen collection
with Sexual Assault Resource Centre guidelines and advice regardless of whether
they have forensic training.(3) Travel delays are generally the result of
needing to attend a hospital or healthcare site and is comparable to any
medical care that requires attendance at a hospital. Steps to address
collection of timely forensic evidence include the introduction of early
evidence kits (EEK), and steps are being taken to allow Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency registered Aboriginal health practitioners to be
permitted under the current legislation to conduct forensic medical examination
and collection as per existing process.
Sexual assault—Forensic medical services—Regions
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