The current health and justice response for victims of rape and sexual assault in Scotland is to be transformed

The commitment was made by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson as part of an update to Parliament on the newly established Taskforce for the Improvement of Services for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.
Mr Matheson said:
“The need to treat victims of crime sensitively is never more acute than with those who are victims of a sexual offence.
“Many victims will be on a long journey of recovery which continues well beyond the conclusion of a court case. It is therefore crucial that the healthcare response is equipped to deliver the services they need. Often this begins with the forensic medical examination.
NHS Education Scotland and the Scottish Government issued a survey in February on barriers to women doctors working in services which provide forensic examinations to victims of sexual assault, recognising many women who have experienced assault would prefer not to be examined by a man.
The taskforce, led by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Catherine Calderwood, will work alongside Healthcare Improvement Scotland who will be undertaking a Scotland-wide consultation on new standards for forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault throughout the summer. National Standards will be published by the end of the year.
Read more: https://news.gov.scot/news/forensic-medical-services

 

 

Image credit: Stinging Eyes, Flickr