Citation

Wells D. Forensic Sci. Int. 2017; 276: 1-4.

Affiliation

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Kavanagh Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006, Australia. Electronic address: davidw@vifm.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.04.004

PMID

28453993

Abstract

Sexual and gender based violence may result in a range of destructive consequences to the individual, their family and the wider community. Addressing such violence and its immediate aftermath in circumstances of civil turmoil requires a timely, planned and coordinated multidisciplinary response. Such interventions need to be cognisant of, and address a range of challenges which might include economic barriers, religious and cultural divides, a dearth of respect for human rights and limited access or capacity of medical, policing and legal services. In addition to addressing the immediate humanitarian prerogatives of health and safety issues, further objectives include the provision of support and justice for victims and the goal of ending impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence. Forensic medicine and its practitioners have the potential to make significant contributions in this field.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Forensic evidence; Humanitarian interventions; Medico-legal services; Sexual violence