Saudi clinic to examine sexual assault victims

Riyadh: A specialised clinic to conduct tests on those who were raped or subjected to sexual assault was opened at the medical centre here yesterday.

Opening of the clinic, the first of its kind in the kingdom, is widely regarded as one of the steps being taken by the Saudi authorities to stem the rising number of sexual assault cases in the kingdom.

Dr Saeed Gharamullah Al Gamdi, supervisor of the centre, highlighted the significance of opening the clinic to dispell mysteries regarding cases of rape and sexual assault.

"The clinic will undertake whole body check-ups to find out minute details of sexual harassment, including the type of internal and external injuries, if any, and even the psychological effect caused to the victim, especially minors," he said.

Facilities

Dr Al Gamdi told reporters here that there are full-fledged facilities to carry out tests on the victims of sodomy.

"The tests will also focus on the extensive damage caused to female victims, such as deflowering and destroying their virginity and the physical and mental trauma," he said, adding that the tests will address several problems likely to be raised during the trial proceedings of the accused in court.

Dr Al Gamdi urged that all the cases involving sexual assault or physical harassment should be referred immediately to the clinic to expedite legal procedures.

"The delay in carrying out the tests could lead to losing key evidence after disappearing marks of assault meted out to the victims. This will complicate the mission of doctors at the clinic in ascertaining the real effect of sexual assault," he said, while noting that medical tests of rape victims will be carried out only with the prior approval from a judge in the court.