Consultancy for Suggestions to Improve Forensic Examination of Sexual Violence Victims in Philippines
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a critical concern and a human right violation throughout the world. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Philippines under their mandate of broader protection activities in armed conflict and detention has been actively involved in addressing and responding efforts of victims of SGBV. Considering the exacerbation of victims of SGBV by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ongoing armed conflict in Philippine requested an expert consultancy from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka to review their forensic medical examination capacity and give suggestions to improve service delivery for the victims of sexual violence.
Senior Professor P. Anuruddhi S. Edirisinghe visited the Philippines to provide consultancy from June 25th to June 28th, 2024, in order to strengthen the forensic examination capabilities of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group’s Medico-Legal Division. (FG MLD). This consultancy included reviewing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the PNP FG MLD, assessing examination facilities, providing training, assessing the strengths and challenges of the forensic examination of sexual violence victims while providing suggestions for further improvement.
The ICRC’s ongoing efforts and collaboration with international experts like Prof. Edirisinghe are crucial steps in this journey towards a more successful forensic examination system of sexual violence victims.
Opening Ceremony
A gift from Sri Lanka as an inspiration for research on SGBV
The team which participated on discussions.
Technical sessions and group work.