Sexual Assault Care, Your Rights and Responsibilities

Please see the information below about your rights and responsibilities, while receiving Sexual Assault Care.

Your rights

You have the right to:

  • receive healthcare and counselling in privacy and to be treated with respect and dignity
  • ask questions
  • information that is accurate, clear and easy to understand
  • decide what happens to you including:
    • giving your clear consent before any procedure is carried out
    • withdrawing your consent to any service at anytime
    • refusing to allow a procedure to be carried out
    • refusing health care or counselling from a particular worker (including doctors or counsellors)
    • choosing to leave any condition untreated
    • refusing health care from students
    • refusing to participate in research
  • view your notes, records, results and letters of referral
  • adequate explanations regarding:
    • choices and options available to you
    • possible outcomes
    • risks and possible complications
    • costs and availability
    • waiting times
    • tests and the results from them
    • the name, position, experience and qualifications of health workers
  • comment on or express an opinion or complaint about health services or care
  • interpreter services including access to information in the language of your choice
  • choose the best option for yourself and the right to change your mind
  • decide who is present when you receive healthcare information
  • refuse the presence of anyone when you receive healthcare information, including:
    • health workers not directly involved in your care
    • students
    • researchers
    • others including family members
  • have all identifying personal information kept confidential and subject to legal requirements
  • have no information, beyond information necessary to your care, be available to people outside the Service without your consent

If you would like information to be given to your family, health worker, solicitor, doctor or other persons you must give us permission in writing.

You are informed of any information a lawyer may request to be given out.

FAMSAC staff are committed to providing the best service we can, including responding to any concerns or complaints that you might have.

What can I do if my rights are not respected?

If you feel that your sexual health rights are not being respected, please follow the advice below.

  • approach the health worker involved and tell them of your concerns
  • approach another health worker who you feel comfortable speaking to
  • write to or phone the coordinator of FAMSAC on 02 5124 3508 - we deal with all complaints in a professional and confidential manner
  • contact The Canberra Hospital Consumer Liaison Officer on 02 5124 0000
  • contact the Community & Health Services Complaints Commissioner on 02 6205 2222

Your complaints and concerns will be assessed, and appropriate action taken.

Your responsibilities

You have the following responsibilities as a patient:

  • consider the rights of others using the service, especially their right to confidentiality
  • let us know if our information or explanation is difficult to understand
  • let us know if you are unable to keep an appointment
  • let us know if you have any special needs, including childcare, an interpreter or disability requirements

We wish to acknowledge Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service.

Reporting crimes to Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT)

Reporting a sexual assault incident requires you to meet with various people and agencies within the criminal justice system. Each has a different role and function, and will look at the case in a different way.

They may include the police, the prosecution, the court and possible corrective services.

Page last updated on: 26 Oct 2018