Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing has provided a Submission to the WA Auditor General’s Performance audit into the delivery of forensic medical examinations (FMEs) for victim-survivors of sexual assault.
Our submission raises serious and long-standing concerns about the way FMEs are accessed and delivered across WA. While FMEs can be a critical part of the immediate health and justice response after sexual assault, access remains inconsistent, inequitable and for too many, effectively non-existent.
WA does not currently have a coordinated statewide crisis sexual violence response.
Instead, victim-survivors encounter a fragmented system where access depends heavily on where they live and are particularly acute in regional and remote areas.
Our submission identifies significant workforce issues, reliant on individuals’ goodwill, training opportunities are limited, and the specialist nature of FMEs is not recognised through roles, entitlements or support.
We have made four clear recommendations for system reform.
CWSW welcomes the Auditor General’s focus on this critical issue and hope it will support meaningful reform.
