Petition urges timely medical exams for victim-survivors of sexual violence

The Older Women’s Network is urging people to sign Fair Agenda’s petition, which calls for access to safe and timely forensic medical examinations for victim-survivors of sexual violence.

These examinations provide important medical care and collect forensic evidence following sexual violence.

Many victims of sexual assault are not able to access safe, timely and trauma-informed forensic medical examinations.

Instead, they are left waiting many hours or traveling long distances to access this care.

At the same time, to avoid compromising potential evidence, victim-survivors will be told to stay in the clothes they were assaulted in, unable to wash, drink, change, or go to the bathroom.

Fair Agenda calls on all Australian governments to invest in better access to care for victim-survivors of sexual assault, including forensic medical examinations—so that all victim-survivors have the support they need, when they need it, no matter where they live.