Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ18: Medical services to victims of sexual violence
Following is a question by the Hon Law Chi-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (March 5):
Question :
Regarding the Forensic Pathology Service of the Department of Health, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the medical services provided to victims of sexual violence; and
(b) whether it has provided medical services to victims of sexual violence who are referred by government departments or organisations other than the Police; if so, of the respective numbers of cases and ways of referral in each of the past two years; if not, of the reasons for that and how the victims concerned can be provided with appropriate and recognised forensic services?
Reply :
(a) The Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) of the Department of Health provides forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine services to government departments. It works closely with the Police and provides professional input on medico-legal aspects of criminal cases. Subject to the request made by the Police, FPS will conduct clinical medico-legal examination of victims and suspects of sexual offences. Forensic evidence and body samples will also be collected for further examination by the Government Chemist. The purpose of the medical examination is to document any injuries of victims and to provide the basis on which FPS gives its expert opinion on medical matters in the course of investigation by the Police and, if necessary, in a court of law.
(b) As explained in (a), the services of FPS are only provided to government departments, and for cases of sexual violence to the Police.
Victims of sexual violence are strongly advised to report the case to the Police promptly to ensure timely collection and analysis of vital forensic evidence, which may be presented to a court of law during the prosecution process. Therefore there is no apparent need to make the services of FPS available to other organisations.
End/Wednesday, March 5, 2003
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