Forensic Medical Examination for Victims of Sex Crimes

Debated in Parliament on 20 Feb 2017.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Chen Show Mao asked whether victims of sex crimes must file a police report before receiving a forensic medical examination and why the examination is only available at three hospitals.
K Shanmugam explained that police reports are required to initiate investigations, and the three hospitals were chosen for their 24/7 obstetrics and gynaecology specialist clinics to facilitate forensic evidence collection.
He noted that forensic examinations focus on evidence gathering for criminal investigations, not medical treatment, and victims can seek immediate medical care without a police report.
A new OneSAFE Centre at Police Cantonment Complex was launched to make examinations more convenient for adult rape victims reported within 72 hours, reducing the need to travel to the three hospitals.

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Chen Show Mao

Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether victims of sex crimes are required to make a Police report before they can get a forensic medical examination done and, if so, why; and (b) whether this examination is only available at three hospitals in Singapore and, if so, why is this not more widely available.

K Shanmugam

Sexual crimes are serious and reportable crimes. The Police encourage all victims to come forward to report these offences, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

Forensic medical examination is an important part of the criminal investigation into sexual crimes. The Police issue Sexual Assault Examination Kits to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), KK Women's and Children's Hospital and National University Hospital, because these are the only hospitals with 24/7 Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) Specialist Clinics that can facilitate forensic medical examination at any time of the day.

Trained O&G specialists use these kits to gather and preserve physical evidence in cases of serious sexual assault, including semen, blood, body fluids and hair, in order to assist the criminal investigation and any subsequent prosecution. It is thus important that a Police report is lodged first, to enable the Police to commence investigations swiftly. The forensic medical examination is not a medical treatment process. A Police report is not needed for the victim to seek immediate medical attention.

The Minister for Home Affairs recently announced a new initiative to make forensic medical examinations more convenient for rape victims. The Police have partnered SGH's O&G department to operationalise the new One-Stop Abuse Forensic Examination Centre, or OneSAFE Centre, at Police Cantonment Complex. Since 15 January 2017, adult rape victims whose cases are reported within 72 hours of the assault, and who do not require any other medical attention can go through the necessary forensic medical examination at the OneSAFE Centre, without needing to travel to one of the three hospitals.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Chen Show Mao asked whether victims of sex crimes must file a police report before receiving a forensic medical examination and why the examination is only available at three hospitals.
K Shanmugam explained that police reports are required to initiate investigations, and the three hospitals were chosen for their 24/7 obstetrics and gynaecology specialist clinics to facilitate forensic evidence collection.
He noted that forensic examinations focus on evidence gathering for criminal investigations, not medical treatment, and victims can seek immediate medical care without a police report.
A new OneSAFE Centre at Police Cantonment Complex was launched to make examinations more convenient for adult rape victims reported within 72 hours, reducing the need to travel to the three hospitals.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Forensic Medical Examination for Victims of Sex Crimes | PAPERCUTS

Forensic Medical Examination for Victims of Sex Crimes

Debated in Parliament on 20 Feb 2017.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Chen Show Mao asked whether victims of sex crimes must file a police report before receiving a forensic medical examination and why the examination is only available at three hospitals.
K Shanmugam explained that police reports are required to initiate investigations, and the three hospitals were chosen for their 24/7 obstetrics and gynaecology specialist clinics to facilitate forensic evidence collection.
He noted that forensic examinations focus on evidence gathering for criminal investigations, not medical treatment, and victims can seek immediate medical care without a police report.
A new OneSAFE Centre at Police Cantonment Complex was launched to make examinations more convenient for adult rape victims reported within 72 hours, reducing the need to travel to the three hospitals.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Chen Show Mao

K Shanmugam

Sexual crimes are serious and reportable crimes. The Police encourage all victims to come forward to report these offences, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Chen Show Mao asked whether victims of sex crimes must file a police report before receiving a forensic medical examination and why the examination is only available at three hospitals.
K Shanmugam explained that police reports are required to initiate investigations, and the three hospitals were chosen for their 24/7 obstetrics and gynaecology specialist clinics to facilitate forensic evidence collection.
He noted that forensic examinations focus on evidence gathering for criminal investigations, not medical treatment, and victims can seek immediate medical care without a police report.
A new OneSAFE Centre at Police Cantonment Complex was launched to make examinations more convenient for adult rape victims reported within 72 hours, reducing the need to travel to the three hospitals.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Forensic Medical Examination for Victims of Sex Crimes

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Chen Show Mao

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified

Forensic Medical Examination for Victims of Sex Crimes

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Chen Show Mao

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified