Queensland rape victims will be offered forensic examinations regardless of whether they plan to make a complaint to police.
It comes after it was revealed vital DNA evidence could be lost as a result of a Queensland Health policy not to collect forensic evidence from rape victims unless they agree to report the assault to police.
The new process would incorporate elements of a pilot project at Townsville Hospital involving nurses with specialist forensic training performing sexual assault examinations without requiring the victim to make an immediate complaint to the police.
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