Responding to a Recent Sexual Assault Policy
MP 0192/25 - Responding to a Recent Sexual Assault Policy (pdf 155KB)
Applicable to: The policy is applicable to Health Service Providers (HSPs) except Health Support Services, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA and the Quadriplegic Centre.
Description: The purpose of the Responding to a Recent Sexual Assault Policy (policy) is to outline the minimum requirements for providing forensic and medical care to individuals aged 13 years or older who have experienced a recent sexual assault.
The policy requirements are based on the trauma informed care principles to consistently deliver care to vulnerable individuals and prevent any further trauma. Inadequate assessment and treatment of individuals who have experienced a recent sexual assault has the potential for re-traumatisation and may contribute to further distress.
For the purposes of the policy, the term ‘recent’ is defined as the two-weeks following a sexual assault incident.
The policy must be read in conjunction with section 124B of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 relating to the mandatory reporting duties of prescribed health professionals to report concerns of sexual abuse of children to the Department of Communities.
The Child Protection Unit (CPU) at Perth’s Children Hospital provides services for children aged 15 years or younger regarding concerns of child sexual abuse.
The policy must also be read in conjunction with:
The policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Clinical Services Planning and Programs Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016.
The policy supersedes OP 1928/05 Coordinated Medical and Forensic and Counselling response to Clients who Experience Recent Sexual Assault and Present to an Emergency Department.
Date of effect: 19 August 2025
Policy Framework
Clinical Services Planning and Programs
Responding-to-a-Recent-Sexual-Assault-Procedure (pdf 319KB)
Care package for adults who have experienced sexual trauma (Sexual Assault Resource Centre, North Metropolitan Health Service
Responding to a Recent Sexual Assault: Supporting Information (Department of Health, WA, 2017)
Sexual Trauma and Responding to Disclosure of Sexual Assault (e-learning package) (King Edward Memorial Hospital)
Guidelines for Protecting Children 2020 (Government of WA, Child and Adolescent Health Service)
Western Australia's Women's Health and Wellbeing Policy (Department of Health, WA)
WA Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Framework 2015-2030 (Department of Health, WA)