Mrs LAMBLEY - 2011-03-31
Are you aware that, since 2009, the Alice Springs Sexual Assault Referral Centre has gone from five medical staff to one doctor who works for the service part-time and on call at night, and another who only works four to six nights on call per month? Since 2007, the number of children presenting with signs of sexual abuse has quadrupled, a problem identified in the Little Children are Sacred report. Why are you not sufficiently resourcing this vital service which deals with some of the most offensive and horrific crimes to women and children?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for this very important question. Providing services quickly to victims of sexual assault is very important. My department has advised me that the person who is in charge of this Sexual Assault Referral Centre has provided a number of recommendations for the department to implement. I have asked the department to implement these recommendations immediately. I have asked the department to provide support to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre service in Alice Springs as a matter of urgency from Darwin, and the department will do so as soon as possible.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for this very important question. Providing services quickly to victims of sexual assault is very important. My department has advised me that the person who is in charge of this Sexual Assault Referral Centre has provided a number of recommendations for the department to implement. I have asked the department to implement these recommendations immediately. I have asked the department to provide support to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre service in Alice Springs as a matter of urgency from Darwin, and the department will do so as soon as possible.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016