In a recent court case it was revealed, by evidence given, that a female who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged rape, underwent a medical examination which was performed by a male doctor.
To compound the problem, the officer who investigated the offence was also a male.
It is somewhat surprising that this revelation has not sparked a public debate about the importance of ensuring patient comfort and sensitivity when dealing with survivors of such a horrendous crime.
There is an urgent need to discuss and investigate the existing medical protocols for examining survivors of sexual assault. Do we have established guideline, do we adhere to them if they do in fact exist?
If we have proper guidelines, why are they not being followed?
It is crucial that we take proactive steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. This should involve a comprehensive review of policies, and the implementation of increased sensitivity and additional training for both medical and law enforcement personnel.
The authorities’ role should be to protect and provide comfort to victims, rather than adding to their distress and trauma.