Faster access to forensic medical exams

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Expert sexual assault services have developed a plan to improve access to forensic medical exams and other services for sexual assault victim-survivors across Western Australia.

Currently victim-survivors are having to travel up to 12 hours across the state to access a forensic medical exam. In the meantime, they are told not to drink, use the bathroom or change clothing to preserve potential evidence. This is an agonising wait for victim-survivors who have already experienced a traumatic event.

Can you help show the ALP government that voters want better services for sexual assault survivors - including timely forensic medical exams?

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Expert sexual assault services have developed a plan to improve access to forensic medical exams and other services for sexual assault victim-survivors across Western Australia.

Currently victim-survivors are having to travel up to 12 hours across the state to access a forensic medical exam. In the meantime, they are told not to drink, use the bathroom or change clothing to preserve potential evidence. This is an agonising wait for victim-survivors who have already experienced a traumatic event.

Can you help show the ALP government that voters want better services for sexual assault survivors - including timely forensic medical exams?

Send a message to your local MP that you support improved funding for forensic medical exams.

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Call on your local MP to support victim-survivors

Improve support for victim-survivors. Ensure faster access to forensic medical exams.

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Subject:

I am writing to express my strong support for faster and better care for victim-survivors of sexual assault.

I am deeply concerned that victim-survivors are currently having to wait many hours or travel very long distances to be able to access a forensic medical exam.

As you may be aware, a forensic medical exam provides important medical care and collects any forensic evidence that may confirm the identity of the person who committed the crime and support the account of the victim-survivor.

I know that while victim-survivors are forced to wait, they are told not to shower, drink, wash or go to the toilet to avoid contaminating evidence. This is agonising for someone who has already experienced a traumatic event.

I want our state to ensure everyone gets the care they need, including timely care following a traumatic event like sexual assault. I’m writing to share my strong personal support for the government to make the necessary investment to ensure victim-survivors of sexual assault can have timely access forensic medical examinations - no matter where they live.

I’m aware that the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing and Fair Agenda are calling for:

Funding to boost existing sexual assault services- including co-located forensic medical examiner roles, trauma counsellors and sexual assault advisors.

Pilot funding for an Aboriginal sexual assault healing service and better responses for culturally and linguistically diverse victim-survivors. And,

To establish new services in the Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Kimberley regions where there is currently no state sexual assault service.

I’m writing to let you know you have my support to invest in these essential services so that all West Australians can access the care that they need, when they need it.

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