Any person who works with individuals who have experienced sexual violence, or who is part of the medical, criminal justice or legal system response to sexual violence, must have a good understanding of sexual violence.
The provision of medico-legal services to victims of sexual violence requires the involvement of a range of systems and professions, including health and social service providers, forensic medicine, forensic lab services, police, and the legal system, including lawyers and judges. When collaboration and coordination occur at different levels (case management, service provision, planning and policy development), there is more likely to be a service that is efficient, timely and of good quality, that encourages victims to access services and report cases, and that is more effective in holding offenders accountable.
Key Principles
- The physical safety and emotional well-being of the victim should be the primary consideration.
- The confidentiality of the victim and her/his information must be guaranteed. Where there are legal limitations to confidentiality, this information must be shared with the victim as early as possible, to allow her/him to make an informed decision about disclosure.
- The victim’s wishes and rights must be respected. The victim must be informed of her/his options and be able to exercise her/his autonomy to make informed choices (informed consent).
- Individuals, agencies and organizations must not discriminate against victims on any basis, including religion, race, sex, gender identity, age, ethnic group, profession, socioeconomic level, political affiliation or sexual orientation.
- Those interacting with victims must be careful not to make promises and misrepresentations (particularly regarding security) that cannot be guaranteed.
- There must be policies in place to protect those who may not be in a position to legally consent to medical and medico-legal processes.
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