A unified national protocol for dealing with cases of sexual assault in Saudi Arabia
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the judicial and health system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Faisal Al-Zubaidi, a forensic medicine consultant and executive director of the Saudi Society for Forensic Medicine, revealed the launch of a package of recommendations and regulatory initiatives that culminated in the adoption of a unified national protocol for examining and treating cases of abuse and sexual assault.
This announcement came at the conclusion of the "First Saudi Forum for Multidisciplinary Medical Assessment and Policy Integration in Cases of Sexual Abuse and Assault," hosted by the Eastern Province over two days, with the participation of leading experts and specialists from the health, security, judicial, and legal sectors. This initiative comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant progress in the governance of medical and judicial procedures, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and protect rights.
Unifying the clinical and legal pathways
Dr. Al-Zubaidi explained that the most significant outcome of the forum was the establishment of a unified, comprehensive clinical pathway for dealing with victims of sexual assault and harassment across all age groups. This pathway aims to ensure the application of standardized procedures from the moment of admission, through assessment and medical examination, to treatment, all in accordance with rigorous professional standards that preserve the dignity of victims and guarantee the integrity of legal procedures, thus reducing disparities in the quality of service provided between different regions.
The approved medical protocol includes precise mechanisms for examining physical injuries and providing necessary treatment, as well as implementing preventive measures after an assault. A clear policy has also been established for handling suspected cases of anesthesia or poisoning related to assaults, including strict protocols for collecting and preserving biological samples according to the "chain of custody" to ensure their reliability as forensic evidence when analyzed in toxicology and forensic medicine centers.
Digital transformation and linkage with the Public Prosecution
In the context of expediting justice, the forum emphasized the importance of reducing the time required to initiate proceedings. The activation of a direct electronic link between forensic medicine departments, the Public Prosecution, and security agencies was announced. This technological step will significantly contribute to accelerating examination procedures, ensuring the secure digital preservation of evidence, and enhancing the reliability of forensic medical documentation, thus facilitating access to technical reports for investigators and judges with high accuracy and speed.
Comprehensive care and staff training
The protocol did not overlook the human and psychological needs of the victims. Al-Zubaidi emphasized the necessity of involving a social worker in the initial assessment and activating the referral system for psychiatric services when needed. This comprehensive care is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the psychological recovery of victims and not focusing solely on the criminal aspect.
Regarding the development of human competencies, the forum addressed a qualitative initiative that is the development of the “Sexual Assault Examining Nurse” (SANE) certificate, which is a precise and globally practiced specialty that aims to train nursing staff to collect forensic evidence accurately without compromising its legal value, while taking into account the ethics of medical practice.
Child protection and remote forensics
Regarding the protection of vulnerable groups, Al-Zubaidi emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance the protection of children from online exploitation through national policies and awareness programs. He concluded by highlighting the activation of remote forensic consultation services in collaboration with Virtual Health, a pioneering step that will support remote and underserved areas, expedite access to accurate expert opinions, and thus improve the efficiency of forensic medical services across the Kingdom.
