Page 712 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 31 March 2021
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the ACT—Recommendation 2: Implementation plan for Woman-centred care—Strategic directions for Australian maternity services (the National Maternity Strategy), Government Response.
National Environment Protection Council Act—Pursuant to subsection 23(3)—National Environment Protection Council—Annual Report—2018-2019.
Trees—urban canopy
Pursuant to standing order 128, Mr Davis fixed a later hour for the moving of the motion.
Crime—forensic sexual assault services
MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (2.57): I move
That this Assembly:
(1) notes that:
(a) at present Canberra’s forensic sexual assault clinic operates out of The Canberra Hospital (TCH);
(b) the Canberra Rape Crisis Service which supports victims is only funded to have a support person available 7am to 11pm daily;
(c) in order for sexual assault victims to receive the forensic services they need they are asked to not wash, eat or change their clothes until after the forensic procedures have been undertaken; and
(d) this is something which, when experienced after hours or on the weekend, women who have not involved the police have been referred to TCH to be swabbed during business hours which can mean not eating or washing overnight or longer; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) ensure that the 24 hours a day 7 days a week forensic sampling service is reasonably accessible;
(b) make sure information about what to do in the event of a rape or sexual assault is made easily available including a number to phone directly to access the forensic service;
(c) consider staffing arrangements at the Canberra Rape Crisis Service so that their support workers are available to counsel victims through this process and other support needs are met 24 hours a day 7 days a week;
(d) investigate the possibility of this service being mobile and able to attend a private residence or workplace or other public place if there is a need or that is the preference of the victim of the sexual assault; and
(e) report back to the Assembly on the progress of these matters regarding the Canberra Rape Crisis Service and TCH forensic sexual assault service by the first sitting day in August 2021.
I rise to speak to my motion about improvements to services for victims and survivors of sexual assault in the ACT. On Monday, 15 March I joined the women and men
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