Under Safe Homes, Families, Communities: Tasmania’s action plan for family and sexual violence 2019-2022 (Safe Homes, Families, Communities), the Tasmanian Government committed to extend forensic medical examinations (FMEs) for adult victim-survivors of family violence to a statewide service.
Under the Tasmanian Government’s first family violence action plan, FMEs were made available to victim-survivors of family violence at the Royal Hobart Hospital and the Launceston General Hospital.
As of 21 December 2020, FMEs are now available for adult victim-survivors of family violence at the North West Regional Hospital, creating a service that is available statewide.
The FME service provides another option for care and advice, as the forensic nurse examiner can assist victim-survivors by providing referrals to other support services.
The service also gives police and the justice system the best possible chance of convicting perpetrators, as the forensic nurse examiner can be called as an expert witness or supply a medico-legal report as evidence.
The service is provided during business hours, but enquiries can be made at any time.
Referrals to the service can be arranged via:
- Sexual Assault Support Service in the south and Laurel House in the north and north west
- Tasmania Police
- The Department of Emergency Medicine at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital.
Call the hospital switchboards to discuss:- Royal Hobart Hospital – 03 6166 8308
- Launceston General Hospital – 03 6777 6777
- North West Regional Hospital – 03 6493 6000
For more information visit http://outpatients.tas.gov.au/clinics/sexual_assault
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