Kate Sloan RN, CCC, RM, B Nurs, Grad Dip HSM, Grad Cert Nurs (Forensics), MNP (Emerg)

Forensic Nurse Examiner

Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Sexual Assault Reform Strategy - Final Evaluation Report

The Department of Justice commissioned Success

Works to evaluate the Sexual Assault Reform Strategy. The evaluation aims to inform and improve the implementation of the strategy, assess its results and inform future policy development and practices addressing sexual assault.

Final Report and Appendices A and B (PDF 2.3MB) Appendix C: Forensic Nurse Network (PDF 516KB) Appendix D: Additional Voluntary Treatment Places

for 15-17 Year Olds Demonstrating Sexually Abusive Behaviour (PDF 443KB)

Available at http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/home/the+justice+sy

stem/sexual+assault+reform+strategy+-+final+evaluation+report

Proposed outcomes of the Forensic Nursing Network

Short term Improved

access for victims to female examiners timeliness of forensic medical examinations consistency of care and approach in forensic medical

examinations linkages between forensic examiners and local health and

counselling services

Increased confidence of victims in the forensic examination process confidence of victim support and advocacy services in the forensic

examination process access to forensic medical examinations in all CCUs

Reduced need for victims to travel for forensic medical examinations workload for FMOs

Proposed outcomes of the Forensic Nursing Network

Medium term Increased victims agree to forensic medical

examinations The attrition rate for prosecutions is reduced Regional access to forensic medical examinations is

sustainable Increased capacity to respond to any future decision

to expand services to victims who have not reported to police

Long term Health outcomes for victims are improved Criminal justice system offers a fair and just

response to sexual assault

“The FNN initiative has had a very significant impact on access to forensic medical examinations in many regional areas across Victoria, and is a highly valued service, in particular by police Members ...access to FNEs has improved the timeliness of their forensic service and reduced the need for victim survivors to travel. Most of these regionally-based police were emphatic in their endorsement of FNEs, and felt that they had developed very productive working relationships”

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10

Percentage of forensic sexual assault examinations

(on female victims), undertaken by a female

practitioner

“This is a highly valued outcome of the FNN initiative, particularly from the perspective of CASA and SOCAU members. It appears that many of these stakeholders feel that the gender of the examiner can, in some instances, impact on the likelihood of the victim survivor consenting to the examination and, in many instances, contribute to the „comfort‟ of the examination process. When considering the views of all stakeholders surveyed and interviewed as part of the evaluation, it is apparent that improving access to female forensic examiners is a very significant impact of the initiative.”

“Please train more for country areas. Can you also please look in to having FNE's trained to care for children as well? At the moment it is again a huge trip to Melbourne to the Gate House for country members. This is 10 x harder when the victim is a child. It is time the police force and the medical profession got together and provide service excellence to all victims of sexual assault.” (Victoria Police member) p281

0

5

10

15

20

25

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Crisis care presentations per year and agegroup

0-19

>19

“With regards to the opinions of the judiciary, most judges and magistrates interviewed who had seen a nurse cross-examined noted that she had been competent in giving evidence.

„The nurses are doing fine, they see this stuff all the time, the same as doctors do‟. Another lawyer went on to give an example of a nurse engaging in what he deemed best practice evidence compilation: (pg 287)

“It is an excellent program. Our forensic nurses are genuinely passionate about their work and work very closely with local SOCAU to assist in improving the joint response to sexual assault. Prior to this network, police relied on the sometimes reluctant good will of doctors. With the FNE we now have people who are developing a body of experience at both examinations but also giving the evidence at court.” p 297

“This initiative requires further and ongoing funding to ensure its success into the future. Without the assistance of Forensic Nurses, Warrnambool SOCAU would be unable to operate effectively. In the absence of these specially trained practitioners the overall service we could provide to victims of sexual assault would be embarrassing” pg 296

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