Western Australia faces delays in forensic exams for sexual assault survivors

A review by the Western Australia Department of Justice has highlighted significant delays in access to forensic medical examinations (FME) for sexual assault survivors. In regional areas such as Kalgoorlie, victim-survivors frequently face wait times ranging from six to 12 hours due to a shortage of trained staff.

Survivors may be required to travel to Perth to access dedicated full-time forensic doctors or wait at public hospitals for a trained professional to become available. These delays can impact both medical and emotional care, as well as the collection of critical evidence such as DNA and physical injury documentation required for criminal prosecutions. The lack of immediate access is described as a justice issue, as prolonged wait times may prevent survivors from completing examinations entirely.