Sexual Assault

Queensland Health’s role in responding to recent victims of sexual assault is to provide medical care, forensic medical examinations, sexual health assistance, crisis counselling and information. These responses are provided by public hospitals, Forensic Medicine Queensland (FMQ), and may include specialist sexual assault teams. The extent and nature of this care varies across health service districts in accordance with local procedures and resources.

Assistance and care in the acute phase includes:

  • medical treatment
  • collection and documentation of medico-legal evidence where appropriate
  • sexual health information and treatment
  • information about rights as a victim of crime
  • information about reporting to police and legal processes
  • support and information extended to support networks.

Caring for people disclosing sexual assault

Queensland Health's role in supporting victims of sexual assault is set out in the health service directive Caring for people disclosing sexual assault, which came into effect on 22 July 2019.

The Health Service Directive provided an additional option allowing for a person to choose to have a forensic medical examination in the absence of police involvement. This was previously known as 'just-in-case'. Collect and STORE samples will be stored untested until a police complaint is made, otherwise they will be destroyed after 24 months.

Resources

Fact sheets

Publications

Queensland resources

Australian resources

Help, assistance and contacts

If you have been sexually assaulted recently or in the past and would like assistance, you can contact any of the following for support:

Last updated: 14 June 2024