Doctors, police discuss preservation of evidence in rape cases

Sexual assault is the fastest growing violent crime in the country while statistics on rape are often incomplete and underestimated because of the hesitancy of many rape victims to report the crime, according to Agnes Nakato of Nyagatare hospital Isange One Stop Center. Isange Center is a specialised free-of-charge referral center where survivors of Gender Based Violence find comprehensive services such as: medical care; psychosocial support; police and legal support, and collection of legal evidence. The center works closely with police stations, sector, cell and village leaders in surrounding areas. The revelation was made at the conclusion of one week seminar on Gender Based Violence (GBV) issue at Gishari Police Training College, based in Rwamagana district, on Friday. The participants included doctors, police officers, psychologists and social workers across the country. “Fear of public humiliation and the social stigma attached to rape often prevents women from seeking proper medical care and reporting the crime. Victims of sexual assault may believe they caused the assault. They need to be reassured that they are victims and that what has happened was not their fault,” said Nakato. “Some patients may feel that questioning is a further invasion of their privacy and may be hesitant; others may welcome the chance to express their feelings. The physicians questions should be specific, especially when they refer to details that the victim might be too embarrassed to mention”. Dr. Leticia Twizelimana of Ruhengeri hospital in Northern Province, said community ignorance stood in the way of victims’ justice, adding that evidences were destroyed before victims reach hospital. “In most cases we don’t avert pregnancies as a result of rape…parents or relatives of the victims must be sensitized. Rape cases need emergence treatment”. “The purpose of the examination is to assess and treat physical injuries, as well as collect evidence submissible in court proceedings. Evidence not collected within 48 to 72 hours of the incident is often unrecoverable or invalid. The victims shouldn’t get undressed before examination…unfortunately parents wash and change clothes of victims before they take them to hospital. In these ignorant acts, the evidences are tempered with,” she said. Commissioner of Police Jean Bosco Kabera, the Commandant Police Training School, Gishari said police was committed to always intervene quickly to help GBV violence get justice. “We need concerted efforts…a kind of approach that is holistic in nature. Police readiness is assured, but other people in the process to fight GBV or help victims of rape must have equal responsibility,” he said. The Head of the Mental Health Division in RBC, Dr Yvonne Kayiteshonga, who presided over the closure ceremony, said the training was important noting that high incidences of rape, medical and social implications for victims, and increasing prosecution of offenders, raised need for society to educate themselves about the appropriate management of rape victims. “Fear of public humiliation and the social stigma attached to rape often prevent women from seeking proper medical care and reporting the crime. The rape trauma syndrome…you know the victim vis-à-vis the perpetrators remains an issue. It is a big human rights violence… it is however, being handled seriously,” she said.

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Doctors, police discuss preservation of evidence in rape cases