2008 Medico-Legal Convening in Response to Sexual Violence (Nairobi, Kenya): Applications Available

[Guest guest]

2008 MEDICO-LEGAL CONVENING IN RESPONSE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Venue: The Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Dates: 2nd June – 5th June 2008

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Sexual violence is a profound human rights violation and public health problem. Patriarchy, anti-woman attitudes and rape myths fuel this epidemic and the way in which survivors are treated by the health, justice and police services. Criminal justice and heath systems globally often are unable or unwilling to effectively respond to the legal and emotional needs of survivors.

A review commissioned by Sexual Violence Research Initiative on the uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in cases of sexual assault of adolescents and adults found that survivors of sexual violence frequently choose not to report their assaults or are filtered out of criminal justice systems, resulting in low charge filing and conviction rates. Download this review online at: http://www.svri.org/medico.pdf.

Appropriate management of survivors of sexual violence requires a standardized clinical evaluation, an effective interface with law enforcement for the handling of forensic evidence, and coordination for delivering of evidentiary requirements between a range of partners. The SVRI review highlights the striking lack of information and evaluative studies from which to assess the impact of medico-legal evidence on sexual assault cases.

By using the findings of the SVRI desk review and sharing regional experiences and models this workshop aims to strengthen the way in which the health and criminal justice systems intersect and respond to sexual violence.

This workshop is a collaborative activity between Liverpool VCT Care & Treatment, Sexual Violence Research Initiative and Gender Based Violence Prevention Network with support from the Hewlett Foundation.

Aim:

This workshop aims at strengthening the medico-legal response to sexual violence through multi-disciplinary collaboration among organisations and partners in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa

Objectives:

a) To share findings of the SVRI desk review, highlight regional innovation, share experiences, research findings and lessons learned in integrating medical and legal services in response to sexual violence.

Identify gaps and opportunities in research, policy and service delivery.

c) Examine alternative measures for enhancing justice for victims of sexual violence;.

d) Provide a platform to promote the creation of regional research networks, and advocacy programmes on strengthening medico-legal responses to sexual violence

Participation:

50 people from sub-Saharan Africa involved or interested in working on medico-legal responses to sexual violence

Criteria for participation:

i. The participant should be undertaking research, responding to, or with the mandate to respond to (such as government/policy makers) medical and legal aspects of sexual violence and/or HIV/AIDS

ii. The participant should be located in Eastern, Central or Southern Africa

There will be a limited number of places per region. To gain an extensive understanding on this topic from we seek to invite people with a diversity of experience and knowledge in this field. If you think you meet these criteria and are available and interested in attending the workshop, please send us your CV along with a general expression of interest to attend by 22nd April 2008. The expression of interest should be no longer than one page and should include your contact details, area of work and experience. Participation will be by invitation only.

Participant registration costs will be covered, but where possible travel and accommodation costs should be sponsored by your organisation or yourself. Full or partial scholarships are available. Please indicate in your covering letter whether your organisation/employer/yourself will arrange your funding; if you require a full scholarship or if you will cover your travel costs if awarded a bursary for tuition and accommodation. Funding to attend this convening will be considered on a case to case basis.

Contact person:

All communication and online submission of required documentation should be done through Kizungu (jessicah@...)