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ABC News (AU)
· collected 2026-09-17 · by Briana Fiore and Evelyn Leckie
South Australia has implemented new regulations allowing trained midwives to conduct forensic examinations on survivors of sexual assault, addressing a shortage of qualified examiners. Currently, only 12 government-trained staff can perform these exams, with three in regional areas. Attorney-General Kyam Maher says the reform aims to improve timely evidence collection and reduce wait times for victims, particularly in underserved regions. Health Minister Blair Boyer notes that midwives will undergo a 40-hour training program provided by Yarrow Place, a sexual assault service funded by the SA government.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In South Australia, new regulations now allow trained midwives to perform forensic examinations for victims of sexual assault, addressing a shortage of only 12 government-trained staff previously available. The change follows recommendations from the SA Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, aiming to provide quicker medical care, especially in regional areas where there are just three such professionals. Attorney-General Kyam Maher highlighted that this move will ensure more accessible services for victim-survivors across the state. Advocates believe these reforms will improve outcomes by reducing wait times and increasing support options.
Written for “Medical Reforms For Assault Survivors” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.50 for article 15202 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-17
In short:
Regulations have changed in South Australia to allow trained midwives to undertake forensic examinations on victim-survivors of sexual assault.
asserted
midwives → change → assault
Currently only 12 government-trained staff can undertake the examination, with three of those operating in regional areas.
asserted
three → train → areas
Advocates are confident the reform will improve outcomes for victim-survivors.
asserted
reform → improve → survivors
Skilled midwives can now conduct forensic examinations in sexual assault cases to reduce lengthy waits for victim-survivors after SA Health figures showed there were only 12 trained staff in the state.
asserted
figures → conduct → state
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the new regulations are now in effect in response to a recommendation in the SA Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, which was handed down in August last year.
asserted
which → say → August
"What the Royal Commission noted was particularly in regional areas there often isn't enough medical practitioners or registered nurses to conduct examinations in the case of sexual assault," Mr Maher said.
asserted
Maher → note → assault
"Midwives who go through the appropriate training will be able to conduct examinations in sexual assault cases, making sure that there are more people right around SA that victim-survivors can go to … at these really horrific and horrifying times."
asserted
survivors → go → times
Mr Maher said timeliness in collecting evidence in sexual assault cases was important.
asserted
timeliness → say → cases
"To make sure that the evidence is as strong as it can be and doesn't degrade or deteriorate," he said.
asserted
he → make → ?
"But also for the victim-survivor, often after sexual assault cases you can't wash, you often don't change clothes... so to do it very quickly is important …. for the wellness of victim-survivors."
asserted
do → wash → survivors
Health Minister Blair Boyer said midwives can undertake 40 hours of training, which will be provided by SA government sexual assault service, Yarrow Place.
asserted
which → say → service
"I'm confident that is going to really bolster the workforce, reduce any wait times, reduce the need for people to travel long distances around South Australia,"Mr Boyer said.
asserted
Boyer → go → distances
SA Health told the ABC there are nine government trained forensic examiners in Adelaide and three in regional SA.
"We see people as soon as possible however this can be dependent on factors such as other people being seen, delays related to travel, or the immediate health care needs or safety of the individual," SA Health said in a statement.
asserted
Health → tell → statement
So far this year, 184 sexual assault victims have presented to Yarrow Place for forensic testing while 281 people attended last year.
asserted
people → present → testing
Mary Leaker from SA's peak body for domestic, family and sexual violence services, Embolden, said the limited number of trained regional staff highlighted the need to expand the pool of examiners.
asserted
number → say → examiners
"This is a really important step in improving wellbeing and justice outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault, no matter where they live across the state," Ms Leaker said.
asserted
Leaker → improve → state
Ms Leaker said it was important to monitor the reform's impact by examining data provided by SA Health.
asserted
it → say → Health
"We are hopeful that it will reduce the need for victim-survivors living regionally and remotely to travel to Adelaide, we know that these reforms have had a positive impact in Tasmania, we are confident that it will make a difference," she said.
asserted
she → reduce → difference
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