Sex crimes: Government hospitals to have new guidelines

The Delhi Health Ministry is all set to finalise guidelines for rapid response by hospitals in medico-legal cases and examination of sexual assault victims. State Health Minister A.K. Walia said on Friday,  ‘After the Delhi gang-rape case it was felt that the entire step-by-step procedure must be made smooth and hassle-free in order to undertake MLC examination of victims and ensure their privacy. Also keeping in view the instructions of the High Court, the Department has finalised the new guidelines.’

Dr Walia also said that various hospital heads had been directed to identify a separate room for examination of the victims. ‘They are also being asked to circulate the number of such room to all the Heads of Departments and doctors on emergency duty. The hospitals are also being directed to provide proper furniture, basic equipment and adequate stock of sexual assault forensic evidence kit. Further, the CMOs/MOs in charge are being instructed to nominate nodal officers to put in place the desired infrastructure,’ he said. He added that a decision on the disgusting ‘two-finger test’ to determine whether a victim had been sexually active will also be taken soon.

The new initiative will also see that proper evidence is collected. They will also ensure copies of the guideline are available for ready reference. In cases the victim’s clothes are taken as evidence she will be provided with alternative clothing. There will also be arrangements for washing up after the examination.

India.com Health View

There is an urgent need to revamp the current medico-legal procedures and response  that rape victims receive.  The Delhi rape victim’s friend’s tale about how they weren’t even offered clothes at the hospital is a sorry one indeed. A doctor who works with a government hospital told us that most rape victims are horribly treated in hospitals and this often leads to further victimisation. Along with the aforementioned steps, we need to sensitise medical staff and others who are involved to stop discrimination against the victims. While experiencing rape is a horrible thing, the procedures that follow make it much worse. Victims are constantly forced to relive the incident, they’re mocked by people they come in touch with and treated more badly than the criminals themselves. This needs to stop now.