Bid to allow rape victims to self-refer for testing

A proposed new law to enable rape victims to refer themselves for forensic medical examination without having to contact police has been lodged at Holyrood.

Some health boards currently offer self-referral for adult victims of rape and sexual assault, but the new Bill would make this a legal duty across Scotland.

When self-referring, victims can have a forensic medicalexaminationwithout first having reported the incident to police.

Any evidence collected is stored, allowing victims to decide whether to lodge a police report in their own time. They can also have health concerns addressed, such as requirements for psychological support, sexual health tests and contraception.

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said giving survivors control of such procedures is “so important”.

The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) Scotland Bill proposes putting police referral to health boards on a statutory footing and sets out rules on collecting, storing and transferring potential evidence.

Ministers have also announced £200,000 for a pilot scheme at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for nurse sexual offence examiners.

Theprojectwouldenable trained nurses to carry out forensic medical examinations for sexual crimes and give evidence in court - a process currently restricted to doctors.