Sexual Offences: Working Together
Sexual Offences: Working Together
Best Practice Update for Scotland Conference
The Professional Development workstream within the NES Medical Directorate delivered a national hybrid conference on 19th March 2025 in collaboration with Scottish Government. The conference was attended by professionals working within forensic medical services across Scotland, including Sexual Offences Examiners, Forensically Trained Nurses, Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and other agencies working with people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. The conference was attended by 64 delegates in person and 80 online.
The programme included:
- Updates from the Sexual Assault and Referral Centres service (SARCS) Policy Unit and Network.
- Scot’s Law and Sexual Offences update from COPFS.
- Police Scotland presentation on Investigating ‘Stealthing’
- Viewing for in person delegates of the National Theatre Live one woman play ‘Prima Facie’, which explores themes related to the work of those attending the conference. The experience of the character in the play was then explored by both online and in person delegates through various breakout sessions.
- Challenges to Disclosure presentation by a Speciality Doctor/Sexual Offences Examiner from Archway Glasgow) (delivered to online delegates on the day but recording shared with all registered post-conference
- Forensic Sampling presentation by the National Lead Forensic Scientist for Sexual Offences from the Scottish Police Authority (delivered to online delegates on the day but recording shared with all registered post-conference
- Expert panel discussion about the challenges of disclosure and whether it is truly possible to minimise trauma in the process, as a reflection on the learning from the day.
Early feedback has been incredibly positive, and delegates valued the hybrid options for attendance and reported that they will be able to apply their learning to positively change their practice, particularly around observing and documenting distress, being aware of ‘stealthing’ and the legalities and ensuring trauma informed and person-centred care throughout. The viewing of the Prima Facie play by the in person delegates was the subsequent workshops for all delegates have reportedly been very impactful.
Delegates reported the following about what they learned and the highlights of the day:
“Legalities and reporting re stealthing and importance of appropriately articulating 'distress'.”
“I found the stealthing interesting, especially as it helps us see how what we do with a complainant translates into the court/a conviction.”
“Documenting and thinking about all the aspects of providing trauma informed patient centred card and for the future investigation and evidence giving.”
“The distress presentation to online participants was the most use as it will result in a major change of practice ... both in documentation ... but also in awareness.”
“Reminded me why we do what we do. I will take my learning to my colleagues.”
“…..the conference made me feel more a part of the whole process and feel like we are a team working together.”
“Prima Facie - eye opening experience. Very powerful tool.”
This event was led by the Associate Postgraduate Deans for Forensics, Dr Deborah Wardle and Dr Nisha Krishnan, supported by the forensic administrative team and the NES Conference Team.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the work we do to support education for Forensic Medical Services, you can get in touch with the team at forensics@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Sexual Offences: Working Together
Best Practice Update for Scotland Conference