The committee welcomes the statutory duty placed on health boards which will provide governance over the provision of forensic services, however, does not support self-referral for children and young people.
The seeks views on how legislation might improve forensic medical services for victims of rape and sexual assault including views on self-referral, where a victim chooses not to report the crime to police, or is undecided, but wishes to undergo a forensic examination and access healthcare.
Our response
- Health Boards also have a duty under child protection procedures to report any assault and this must be clearly outlined in any legislation.
- Self-referral would be in direct conflict with child protection procedure.
- There is a need to ensure there is a clear forensic chain of evidence from health to police in these cases.
- Rural and island communities, by definition, will have services that look very different to other services.
Our recommendations
- We do not consider self-referral an appropriate pathway for children and young people because of the duty to consider child protection and involve police in all cases of alleged rape or sexual assault.
- Legislation should specify that examinations are carried out in premises suitable for the age and developmental stage of the child or young person.
- Expectations are managed for those living in rural and island communities.
- There should be provision of video recorded evidence for child victims.
We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the Colleges position, and ultimately childrens health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations by contacting the 做厙輦⑹ Scotland team on enquiries-scotland@rcpch.ac.uk.