IMPROVING NHS SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) Scotland Bill contains a number of proposed changes. These include introducing clear legal responsibilities for health boards on the provision of direct access to forensic medical services – known as ‘self-referral’ – and clearly establishing a victim’s right to know what will be done with collected evidence.

Such evidence may support any future criminal justice proceedings where a victim does not wish to report the incident they have suffered to the police at the time, or is undecided about doing so.

In addition, Scottish Government Ministers have announced £200,000 of funding for an initiative to develop the role of nurse Sexual Offence Examiners in Scotland. This will allow appropriately qualified and experienced nurses to undertake forensic medical examinations of victims and give evidence in court – something only doctors can do at present.

Welcoming publication of the Bill, Mr Dey said:

“The Scottish Government is determined to provide sensitive support for victims of rape and sexual assault, and central to this is improving access to the relevant healthcare services.

“It is absolutely understandable that some who suffer such traumatic abuse may be reluctant to make a police report.

“For this reason, the option of self-referral is so important and should therefore be available consistently across the country.

“This way, it is hoped that people in this most distressing position are encouraged to access the appropriate NHS services.”

Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, said:

“We welcome this significant and important step forward and believe that, when law, this has the potential to transform how forensic services are provided to survivors of sexual violence across Scotland.

“Sexual crimes are fundamentally abuses of power and about taking someone’s control – which is why it is so important and encouraging that this bill recognises and works to counter this, by making sure that survivors are in control of procedures and processes around their evidence and property.

“Adopting a trauma-informed approach that focusses on the individual – on their needs and their health care – is vital, and an important element of this is moving to using nurses as forensic examiners. This is a key development, and one which could make a huge difference.”

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has been closely involved in the proposals to develop the nurse examiner workforce in Scotland.

The Lord Advocate said:

“Scottish prosecutors take crimes of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously. COPFS is committed to contributing to improvement of the criminal justice system.

“I welcome the initiative to develop the nurse Sexual Offence Examiner role, which could enhance the service available to complainants. It will allow us to monitor and evaluate the scheme, and seek to establish the role’s viability within the criminal justice system.”