Sangeeta Rege Sana Contractor Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT)

 Development of a model for examination and collection in cases of sexual assault/Rape, called Sexual Assault and Forensic evidence kit (SAFE KIT) in  This kit is based on the Ontario Police Force kit used in Canada. Extensive feedback was sought from several forensic experts, gynecologists, public health experts and women’s rights groups.

 Manual for Safe kit usage  Protocol  Equipments required for collecting evidence.

 Medical history, sexual assault history, nature of evidence collected and treatment provided  Body maps to record injuries(for both male and female bodies)  Tables for Tanner Staging for boys and girls are provided for age estimation

 Negotiation with the Hospital Authorities to implement SAFE KIT in 2 Public Hospitals in April These were: Rajawadi - a 500-bed, well equipped hospital;& Oshiwara Maternity home - an extension centre of the Cooper hospital.  Agreement over conducting periodical training on understanding sexual violence, provision of crisis intervention by CEHAT team and documentation of the experience of using the kit.

 Trainings conducted for:  Defining sexual violence.  Addressing Myths and Facts related to sexual violence.  Use of Case studies to facilitate the use of the SAFE KIT

 Mandatory Admission  Mandatory Police case.  Patients shuttled from major tertiary hospital to maternity home for examination.  Discharge date prolonged till evidence is sent to Forensic laboratory.  X-rays/ USG/ and procedures conducted rampantly  Option of partial evidence collection not given to women

 Lack of confidentiality, privacy  Lack of belief in the woman's story  Precedence of forensic role over clinical role.  Multiple players in the chain of custody.

 Review and change obsolete procedures related to management and care of victims of Rape  Clarify ambiguity between forensic and clinical role of Doctors  Evolve a multidisciplinary team to respond to various needs of the victims

 Obtaining consent of survivor before collecting evidence and explaining the importance of such evidence  Collection and documentation of evidence  A clear and fool proof chain of custody that preserves evidence collected  Providing medical care  Providing psychological support  Referral and follow up for further care