Support for sex attack victims

A Scottish Parliament committee has backed a bill which aims to support the health needs of sexual offence victims.

The legislation would allow victims over 16 to selfrefer to NHS facilities and have forensic evidence taken, before deciding if and when they want to report the incident to the police. The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill was considered by Holyrood’s health committee earlier this year.

During an evidence session, the chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland branded the current arrangements “an embarrassment”.

Sandy Brindley said that access to female doctors and delays to forensic examinati ons were common p roble ms. Committee convener Lewis Macdonald said MSPS would like to see the legislation strengthened so victims had more information.

He said: “Victims of sexu-al offences should be able to access medical treatment in as simple a manner as possible. This bill empowers victims, placing the decision of whether to report incidents in their hands.”