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MSP Gail Ross welcomes landmark legislation


By Philip Murray

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MSP Kate Forbes.
MSP Kate Forbes.

LANDMARK legislation that gives sex offence victims the chance to request a forensic medical exam without having to report a crime, has been hailed by a Ross MSP.

The new Forensics Medical Services Bill was passed unanimously at the Scottish Parliament last week. It places a duty on health boards to give victims direct access to trauma-informed, person-centred forensic medical exams and to retain certain evidence where a victim is undecided about reporting the matter to the police.

And a further amendment, brought by the MSP Johann Lamont, also ensured that rape and sex assault survivors will be able to pick the sex of the person examining them after an attack. That latter amendment enjoyed near universal support in the parliament, passing by 113-9 with one abstention.

Kate Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed the new legislation. She said: “This is a very important bill, which I hope will prove to be a source of support for rape survivors.

“I cannot begin to imagine the trauma and fear of providing forensic evidence after a heinous crime like rape. The changes made by this law have been widely welcomed.

“One of the most consistent points made by survivors during scrutiny of this bill was the need for women to request a female to carry out any of the necessary procedures. I’m glad that request is now enshrined in law.”


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