Centre for Enquiry Into Health and Allied Themes
Developing healthcare response to Sexual Violence (2007 Onwards)
The project attempts to evolve a model for comprehensive response to sexual assault at the level of the health system. It would involve sensitization and capacity building of health professionals on the issue of sexual violence and thus develop a comprehensive model of response to sexual assault at the level of the health system that includes sensitive evidence collection, provision of psychosocial support and appropriate testing and prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases.
As part of this project CEHAT implemented a protocol, the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Kit (Safe Kit) which was developed by CEHAT in two peripheral municipal hospitals i.e, Rajawadi Hospital and Oshiwara Maternity Home in Mumbai. Along with the implementation of the protocol, sensitisation and capacity building of health professionals was carried out on the issue of sexual violence. The process of handling the victims of sexual assault in these hospitals was documented and found gaps in relation to obtaining consent, recording of history, preserving confidentiality of victims and provision of care, even after comprehensive protocol that had been implemented. Also it has been found that it is crucial to be able to provide basic emotional support to such women, facilitate the process of examination and evidence collection and provide required assistance to these women. CEHAT till now has provided support to 15 such women.
National Course
National Course on Developing a Comprehensive Health Care Response to Survivors of Sexual Assault from 1st to 2nd October, 2011
CEHAT would like to invite you for a 2 day National course on ‘Developing a comprehensive health care response to survivors of sexual assault.’ The course will be organized in collaboration with Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi and Sama. CME credits will be provided by the Delhi Medical Council. We invite applications from Health Care Providers/lawyers/psychologists/social workers who are currently playing a role vis-ŕ-vis sexual assault in their respective hospitals. Experts from gynecology, forensic medicine, law, and ethics from premier institutions will serve as faculty for this course.