Rape and Sexual Assault Initiative

This initiative is a joint project from Medics against Violence, Police Scotland Rape Task Force, the Violence Reduction Unit, Rape Crisis Scotland and NHS Health Scotland. Our aim is to help health professionals support recent victims of rape and sexual assault.

Rape and sexual assault are acts of sexual violence, not sexual gratification. They are intended to dominate or control the victim. All of the responsibility for rape lies with the perpetrator. While the majority of victims of sexual assault and rape are women, men may also be victims. Research indicates that 75-85% of women who are raped do not report the crime to the police and those that do often delay reporting. This may be because of embarrassment, fear, threats, lack of knowledge or confidence in the criminal justice process, an expectation of being judged or misbelieved or because they know the perpetrator. Prosecution of crimes of sexual violence, is most successful where there is objective evidence that a crime occurred. Rape is a crime that generally has no witnesses and so forensic evidence can be absolutely key to securing a successful prosecution. There is a 7-day window of opportunity for the collection of forensic evidence from the date of the incident, after that vital evidence is lost as biological samples degrade and bruises and cuts start to heal. The earlier a forensic examination takes place within that window, the greater the opportunity to recover vital evidence.

To encourage victims of rape and sexual assault to report, we need a range of strategies and support systems. The GP or practice nurse may be the first health professional a victim sees when seeking care in the aftermath of a sexual assault or rape. This may be because they are worried about the possibility of pregnancy, STIs or injuries sustained during the assault for which they need advice or treatment. The doctor-patient relationship may encourage the disclosure of sensitive information, such as sexual violence and subsequently may accept referral onto other agencies allowing precious forensic evidence to be captured in a timely manner.

Providing sensitive enquiry and reassurance in a supportive and safe environment, will give people the opportunity to be listened to and supported. On many more occasions, however, there is no such discussion or onward referral and this is a missed opportunity for the victim and for those who could help them.

We consider GPs to be key professionals who can help patients report sexual violence and signpost them to appropriate help but we realise that this is a difficult topic for anyone to raise.

To take advantage of the “golden moment” for intervention this relationship may provide when it comes to sexual assault, Police Scotland, Medics Against Violence (MAV), Rape Crisis, the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and NHS Health Scotland have developed THIS guidance. The resources here can be read as stand alone resources or if you have been to one of our training presentations they will provide some additional reading.

Useful numbers for reporting or referral.

Police Scotland 101

Archway Glasgow

Part of the Sandyford Initiative -self referral for recent victims of sexual assault or rape who may be ready to have forensic evidence captured but are perhaps not ready fo report to the police. Evidence can be stored for possible use at a later date should your patient make the decision to report to the police.

http://www.sandyford.org/do-you-want-a-service/archway-if-you-have-been-...

0141 211 8175

Rape Crisis Scotland

08088 010302

www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Read the MAV Practice note for the Rape and Sexual assault initiaitve HERE

Read RCGP information on rape for GPs HERE

Read NHS Scotland's guide on Rape and Sexual Assault HERE

Read Beata Cybulska's paper on Immediate medical care after sexual assault HERE

Presentations

Rape and Sexual Assault the Health Perspective

Rape and Sexual Assault the Police Perspective