Rape victims told to go home and photograph their injuries, LNP claims

Allegations that victims were told to go home and photograph their own injuries, and another being left in an ambulance for eight hours, were aired during Question Time on Tuesday.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Rape victims are being turned away from Queensland hospitals because there are no staff trained to conduct forensic medical examinations, according to whistleblower claims raised in parliament by the state opposition.

Allegations of victims being told to go home and photograph their own injuries and another being ramped in an ambulance for eight hours, were aired during Question Time on Tuesday.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman in June pledged to train every public emergency department doctor to administer rape kits, despite push-back from within her own department.

The promise came after a landmark women’s safety inquiry found sexual assault victims had been kept waiting in EDs for almost 12 hours unable to take a shower, change clothes or brush their teeth because there are no trained staff available, or willing, to collect vital DNA evidence.

New rape kits were also rolled out earlier this year after revelations Queensland’s health department was using “significantly inferior” equipment to other states when collecting DNA evidence from victims.

Liberal National Party frontbenchers grilled Ms Fentiman on Tuesday morning about why rape victims were still being told to “go home, don't wash and come back tomorrow because of the lack of rape kits or trained staff”.

“A whistleblower has told the opposition a rape victim presented to hospital in August,” LNP health spokeswoman Ros Bates told parliament.

“She couldn‘t be examined due to a lack of trained staff, she was transferred to another hospital only to be ramped for a further eight hours.”

In another instance, raised by the LNP’s sexual violence prevention spokeswoman Amanda Camm, a victim was turned away from hospital and told there were no rape kits available.

“(She was told) to come back the next day and to take a photograph of her injuries,” Ms Camm said.

“Given the minister said no victim requesting a forensic medical examination should ever be turned away from a hospital, why under this Labor Government is justice being denied, with rape victims being sent home and told to collect their own evidence?”

Ms Fentiman said the whistleblower claims were distressing and “completely unacceptable”.

“If you would please forward the details, I will look into it,” she said in response to LNP questions.

“As the minister, I will give you my assurance I will fix it.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said hospital and health services were funded to provide 24-hour access to sexual assault support services and are required to offer forensic examinations.