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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 17: Malaysian Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri has called for rape victims to be allowed to have a medical examination first before deciding, within 72 hours, whether or not to lodge a police report.
The current procedure, in accordance with the One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) Policy 2015, is that a police report must be made before the police release an order requesting the doctor to examine and collect evidence with the consent of the person to assist an investigation.
Thus, Nancy said she would discuss with Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa the proposed revision on the procedures for rape victims approaching the OSCC based at all major general hospitals in Sarawak, Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) reported.
This came following a Twitter post dated July 6 by an account user expressing dissatisfaction with the OSCC at a government hospital in Sarawak regarding the handling of a case of a suspected rape victim.
On July 8, Sarawak Health director Dr Ooi Choo Huck, in a statement, clarified that the victim had received proper attention and treatment throughout her time at the Emergency and Trauma Department of the hospital.
However, he said that the patient had refused to lodge a police report and did not give permission for further evaluation to be carried out.
The OSCC is a 24-hour daily service that caters to all people experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect. It provides a safe place, treatment and multi-level crisis intervention to survivors and ensures optimal care and evidence management for the survivors.
Those living in Sarawak currently experiencing abuse can go to the OSCC at Sarawak General Hospital, Hospital Miri, Hospital Sibu, Hospital Serian, Hospital Bintulu, Hospital Sri Aman, and Hospital Sarikei.
However, those who are abused and in a crisis can approach ETD at any government hospital.
Women who experience violence are encouraged to contact SWWS’s WINNE Line at 016-5822660 (Monday, 7pm-9pm, Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am-11.30am, Saturday, 2pm-4pm). — DayakDaily
