Thread by @DrWilliams

10 OTHER ways to address low conviction rates of sexual assault

TRIGGER WARNING
1. avoid taking statements immediately after assault-she may have been given drugs by the perp
2. learn to recognise a traumatised woman may not be a “good” witness @Drhutch2011 @dhanyajmani

https://twitter.com/dailytelegraph/status/1372292979763802114

3. recognise that vaginal swabs and anal swabs are not a fun sport, a doctor’s done them for a reason
4. if women has injuries/lacerations consider that she may not be into 50 shades of gray but rather be telling the truth
5. involve experts in sexual trauma, family violence

And PTSD in your decision making tree
6. Always make sure a female support worker is available to survivors
7. consider the relationship of the victim & perp in it’s entirety -most young girls don’t want to be strangled on the first date or much ever really
#EnoughIsEnough

8. Recognise collapsing on the stand is not a sign of poor reliability
9. Just because a schoolgirl lies to her parents about where she’s been does not mean that she lied about the rape.
@RonniSalt @AbigailBoydMLC @petaswarbrick @BethanyinCBR @kjoh7876 @duskywhalerkate

10. Ensure everyone involved in her care -all healthcare workers, all law enforcement, all legal staff are trained in trauma informed care, how to recognise & respond to trauma

This is just some immediate ideas. There are many more @nswpolice @shaunwarnock_sw @yabbtopia @davtw2