Officers of Rwanda National Police (RNP) are currently undergoing a three-day training on Gender Based Violence (GBV) during this period when Rwanda has joined the world in recognizing the 16-day campaign against GBV.

The training, which has brought together the Criminal Investigation Department and Rwanda National Police medical service, is aimed at training the two parties, which are the ones that deal with the GBV cases to be in position to offer good services to the victims of the vice.

Assistant Commissioner Dr. Wilson Rubanzana, the head of the Rwanda National Police Medical Services, explained that the aim is to train the officers from both branches to enable GBV victims to get better services.

"Our aim is ensuring that victims benefit from our comprehensive services and also teach these officers to follow the right protocols while dealing with GBV cases,” said Dr. Rubanzana.

"In case the victim has sustained injuries or has been raped, the medical officers have to prescribe the appropriate medicine,” said Rubanzana.

He pointed out that the officers would be trained on putting much emphasis on the medical legal report, which is supposed to be done by a doctor with expertise in forensic medicine.

Police has established a special GBV desk at different police posts across the country.

Dr. Claude Somanyi, in charge of fighting AIDS and other epidemics in the police force said that GBV related crimes are among the leading complaints received by police. He said that in 2006 the police recorded 3,150 cases related to GBV while last year they registered 3,900.

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