❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses forensic medical examinations following sexual assault, revealing limited dedicated positions, especially in regional areas, and reliance on SARC for support. Data collection challenges and service accessibility are highlighted.
AnsweredQoN 442Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent release of the latest Western Australian Police (WAPOL) crime statistics showing an increase in sexual assaults (both current and historic) being reported to Western Australian (WA) Police, and I ask: (a) how many staff have received training within the last two years on conducting a forensic medical examination following sexual assault; (b) in reference to (a), did any of this training include training on preparing court reports, and presenting evidence in court; (c) how many health staff positions (full time equivalent) are currently designated as dedicated forensic medical examination positions in WA; (d) in reference to (c), how many of these are in the Perth metropolitan area; (e) in reference to (c), how many are outside the Perth metropolitan area; (f) what is the expected timeframe for registered Aboriginal health practitioners to be permitted under the current legislation to conduct a forensic medical examination and collection as per existing process; (g) what, if any, additional funding is being provided to Aboriginal health care services, hospitals and other health care services to increase their capacity (including staffing) to conduct forensic medical examinations outside of the provision of early evidence kits; (h) how is the Department communicating its work on improving access to forensic medical examinations publicly; (i) how many victim-survivors present annually to the 52 healthcare facilities for the purposes of a forensic medical examination following a sexual assault; (j) in reference to (i), please provide data relating to presentation numbers, by facility, for the last five years; (k) does the Department have information on the wait-times after the victim presents to a healthcare facility for an examination; (l) if yes to (k), please provide the average wait time, together with the longest wait time, for each facility; (m) what is the annual number of victims who have been turned away from a WA healthcare facility after seeking a forensic medical examination due to a lack of available, trained staff in attendance at the time over the past five years; (n) what is the current availability of forensic medical examinations for child victims; and (o) how many paediatric qualified staff across the state are available for child victims needing this service?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 September 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
8 days
(a) From September 2023 – August 2025 a total of 116 staff attended the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) 3-day Forensic Training Program.
(b) Yes.
(c) 4.2 FTE + 1.0 FTE allocated to the Family Domestic Violence Pilot Program.
(d) All positions listed above.
(e) There are no health staff positions currently designated as dedicated forensic medical examination positions in regional Western Australia. However, all medical staff are permitted under the relevant legislation to conduct a forensic medical examination and specimen collection with SARC guidance and advice regardless of whether they have forensic training. This includes WA Country Health Service (WACHS) medical staff across all regions.
The SARC medical team are available 24/7 to provide specialist advice.
(f) This is a responsibility of WA Police
(g) SARC is not aware of any additional funding to conduct forensic medical examinations.
(h) The SARC website includes public facing information about the training, including new e-learning, and the rollout of the Early Evidence Kits. The website also includes details of how to apply for the Forensic Training Program and access e-learning packages for responding to sexual assault and early evidence collection.
(i) Data pulled to provide a response will likely be inaccurate and under reported, as there is a tendency for sexual assault to not be clearly documented in medical records.
(j) as above
(k) Wait times will depend on the acuity of injuries and other medical intervention required. In the metropolitan area, where SARC is contacted on presentation, there is a pathway to expedite an examination at SARC where appropriate.
(l) As above.
(m) All services in WA are able to contact SARC 24/7, where a Clinical Forensic Medicine Doctor will facilitate and/or direct a clinician in an appropriate examination.
(n) Perth Children’s Hospital Child Protection Unit doctors offer a 24/7 statewide consultative service. The unit often provides advice to doctors on the management of acute sexual assault and forensic examinations in children. SARC also offers care and consultation for children 13 years and above, which encompasses providing FMEs for metro areas and phone consultation for regional areas.
(o) Perth Children’s Hospital Child Protection Unit includes forensically trained consultants (3.1 FTE) and registrars (2.0 FTE).
(b) Yes.
(c) 4.2 FTE + 1.0 FTE allocated to the Family Domestic Violence Pilot Program.
(d) All positions listed above.
(e) There are no health staff positions currently designated as dedicated forensic medical examination positions in regional Western Australia. However, all medical staff are permitted under the relevant legislation to conduct a forensic medical examination and specimen collection with SARC guidance and advice regardless of whether they have forensic training. This includes WA Country Health Service (WACHS) medical staff across all regions.
The SARC medical team are available 24/7 to provide specialist advice.
(f) This is a responsibility of WA Police
(g) SARC is not aware of any additional funding to conduct forensic medical examinations.
(h) The SARC website includes public facing information about the training, including new e-learning, and the rollout of the Early Evidence Kits. The website also includes details of how to apply for the Forensic Training Program and access e-learning packages for responding to sexual assault and early evidence collection.
(i) Data pulled to provide a response will likely be inaccurate and under reported, as there is a tendency for sexual assault to not be clearly documented in medical records.
(j) as above
(k) Wait times will depend on the acuity of injuries and other medical intervention required. In the metropolitan area, where SARC is contacted on presentation, there is a pathway to expedite an examination at SARC where appropriate.
(l) As above.
(m) All services in WA are able to contact SARC 24/7, where a Clinical Forensic Medicine Doctor will facilitate and/or direct a clinician in an appropriate examination.
(n) Perth Children’s Hospital Child Protection Unit doctors offer a 24/7 statewide consultative service. The unit often provides advice to doctors on the management of acute sexual assault and forensic examinations in children. SARC also offers care and consultation for children 13 years and above, which encompasses providing FMEs for metro areas and phone consultation for regional areas.
(o) Perth Children’s Hospital Child Protection Unit includes forensically trained consultants (3.1 FTE) and registrars (2.0 FTE).
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