SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PRISONS
Sunday 9th 13.45pm
Rates of imprisonment in Australia continue to increase. The complex spectrum of sexual activity within correctional facilities is well recognised and includes the risk of sexual violence and sexual coercion. Male and female prisoners are at risk of sexual assault. Limited epidemiological data suggest rates of sexual assault in prisons are greater than general population rates. Prisoners have limited options to avoid further contact with assailants and are vulnerable to repeated sexual assault. Short-term consequences include physical injury, emotional trauma, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and in the case of male assault of female prisoners, pregnancy. Long-term psychological impacts include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased risk of suicide. Correctional facilities require clear protocols for the management of sexual assault, and in jurisdictions in which these do not exist, clinicians with expertise in sexual assault care may be in a position to influence the provision of medical and forensic care and follow-up.
Dr Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin is a specialist in sexual health and HIV at Canberra Sexual Health Centre, at the Canberra Hospital. She has been part of the on-call roster of the local sexual assault service since its inception in 2001, and is completing her Masters in Forensic Medicine at Monash University. Sarah teaches at the Australian National University Medical School, co-ordinating the sexual health medicine program. She is a committee member and Treasurer of FAMSAC Australia. Her research interests include chlamydia, clinical aspects of HIV, medical education, and sexual assault.
OVERVIEW
Sexual Assault in Custody – Sarah Martin
Sarah’s interest in this topic was sparked, by her occasional review of patients in custodial care, but in particular when she became involved in the government advisory committee for the planning of the ACT’s Alexander Machonochie Centre, a prison facility currently under construction. Discussion seemed to revolve around the transmission of blood borne virus’s (BBV), e.g. HIV, safe sex and healthy prison models however there was no recognition of the occurrence of sexual assault.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics March 2007 figures there were 25968 prisoners in Australia, 24117 men, 1851 women with indigenous Australians accounting for 6333. Most detainees are serving short sentences however figures are incrementally increasing. Epidemiological complexities make it difficult to achieve consensus on the prevalence of sexual assault. Even the lowest rates are higher than national figures outside of prison. Those most at risk seem to be younger males of slight build and women. It seems that perpetrators are often other inmates or in the case of women prisoners correctional officers. A study published in1996, by Heilpern, author of ‘Fear or Favour’, involved 183 male NSW inmates 18-25yrs and suggested 24% had been subjected to sexual assault at least once. One third reported daily or weekly sexual assaults and six reported the assault to authorities. Another 1997 NSW study of a random sample selection of 657 inmates suggests five percent had consensual intercourse while only two percent had experienced sexual assault while in custody. The most recent NSW study, in 2001 found only 0.4% of the 914 men had non-consensual sex. Multiple assailants were involved in 1/5 of the assaults. Of ten women interviewed in 1994 at Mulawa facility three reported sexual assault.
There is very little data demonstrating the consequences of sexual assault in custody. What is known is that in the short term there are few options to escape perpetrator/s. The victim is at risk of physical injury, STI/ BBV (males: 2-21% HSV, 1% HIV), psychological effects. Women have a 5% risk of pregnancy and suicide, among men on release is believed to be one of the long term impacts.
So what is being done? Correctional services in Queensland have comprehensive policies relating to sexual assault in custody. NSW is currently undertaking a review of sexual assault/ sexual health in prisons. The USA correctional services now recognise that sexual assault is an issue. Community organizations continue to lobby the government to address this issue. Some useful websites are:
www.dulwichcentre.com.au "Preventing prison rape program" in South Australia sadly relies on donations and is unfunded by the SA or federal government
www.sistersinside.com.au is a Queensland organisation aimed at helping female inmates.
Finally I have included what Sarah calls her wish list for custodial care facilities:
Prison Entry:
During imprisonment:
Pre Release:
Notes by Deb Colbert