News / MSPs arrange meeting on sexual assault testing

8 March 2017 17:29

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott has secured a meeting with Scottish justice secretary Michael Matheson this week to discuss how forensic examinations on sexual assault survivors are carried out.

The Liberal Democrat will be joined on Thursday by Orkney colleague Liam McArthur as they call for “long-term investment” in facilities and training in the Northern Isles.

At present, anyone who has suffered a sexual assault in Shetland is escorted by police on the overnight ferry or the plane to the Scottish mainland and they are instructed not to wash themselves.

Rape Crisis Shetland’s Linda Gray said she felt that ordeal often put some people off from reporting incidents to the police.

New national standards were announced by the Scottish Government recently, but Scott said examinations need to start taking place in the Northern Isles again.

Police previously bought in forensics from the NHS before testing was transferred to the health service in 2014.

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“The new national standards will be welcome, but what both Orkney and Shetland need are the facilities and training to ensure these tests can be offered closer to home,” Scott and McArthur said.

“Our current Rape Crisis workers do an excellent job in providing support when it is most needed, including to those who don’t wish to report their attackers to the police.

“Long-term investment in facilities and training opportunities here in the islands will ensure a sustainable forensic service for years to come and could make a significant difference to survivors who want to see their perpetrators brought to justice.”

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