Women who have been sexually assaulted in country SA are having to travel long distances to have forensic evidence collected in CBD

Women who have been sexually assaulted in rural areas are being forced to travel long distances to have forensic evidence collected in the CBD.

Women who have been sexually assaulted in country South Australia are having to travel long distances - sometimes by bus and without showering - to have forensic evidence collected in Adelaide.

Experts have told a royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence that victims may not wash, change clothes or eat or drink before making the “traumatic” journey.

They are forced into this situation by a shortage of health workers in regional areas who are trained to take swabs, collect clothing and conduct health checks after a sexual assault.

Royal commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja said the issue was raised on each of the regional visits she had made to Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier and Kangaroo Island.

Detective Sgt. Catherine Hilliard confirmed some victims were deterred from pursuing forensic examination due to travel.

She had been told of victims “not being able to shower, not being able to change, spending hours on a bus or in a car”, she said.

Katrina Dee, who is director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network’s (WCHN) health and recovery trauma safety services, said the impact of “leaving that traumatic content on their bodies” while making such a journey was significant.

“They don’t necessarily change their clothing or wash. They might delay eating or drinking,” she said.

“It’s just unacceptable.”

Ms Dee said WCHN’s Yarrow Place rape and sexual assault service conducted 350 forensic procedures between the start of 2023 and mid-2024, including 75 for people who had travelled from regional areas.

Sarah Quick she had been approached by some women to cover the cost of travel or accommodation in Adelaide so they could pursue a forensic exam. Picture: SA Government

Victims of Crime Commissioner Sarah Quick said she had been approached by some women to cover the cost of travel or accommodation in Adelaide so they could pursue a forensic exam.

“It can be incredibly traumatic for a victim to have to travel,” she said.

Ms Quick said sexual assault victims told her they often “feel as though they’re not believed” and “confront attitudes and behaviours that leave them feeling blamed and judged”.

SA Police Detective Chief Superintendent Catherine Hillard confirmed that some victims were deterred from pursuing forensic examination because of the travel required.

She also noted that when police drove a victim to Adelaide for an exam they were “not able to respond to any other matter that may be occurring in that area”.

For support phone 1800 RESPECT.