South Australia allows trained midwives to conduct sexual assault examinations

South Australia has changed regulations so trained midwives can perform forensic examinations for sexual assault victim-survivors. The reform aims to reduce delays, particularly in regional areas, where SA Health says only three of the state’s 12 government-trained examiners currently work.

South Australia has changed its regulations to allow trained midwives to conduct forensic examinations of sexual assault victim-survivors. The reform is intended to expand the number of available examiners and reduce waiting times, especially outside Adelaide.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the change followed a recommendation from the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, handed down in August last year. He said regional communities often lacked enough medical practitioners or registered nurses able to perform the examinations.

Mr Maher said prompt examinations were important both for preserving evidence and supporting victim-survivors. He said evidence could degrade over time, while people may avoid washing or changing clothes before an examination.

Health Minister Blair Boyer said midwives would undertake 40 hours of training provided by the South Australian government’s sexual assault service, Yarrow Place. SA Health told ABC News that nine government-trained forensic examiners are based in Adelaide and three in regional South Australia.

SA Health said people are seen as soon as possible, but timing can depend on other patients, travel delays, and the person’s immediate health or safety needs. Yarrow Place recorded 184 presentations for forensic testing so far this year, compared with 281 people who attended last year.

Mary Leaker of Embolden, South Australia’s peak body for domestic, family and sexual violence services, welcomed the change. She said increasing the number of regional examiners could improve wellbeing and justice outcomes and reduce the need for people in remote areas to travel to Adelaide. Ms Leaker also said the reform’s impact should be monitored using SA Health data.