Important discussions conducted regarding evidence sample collection from rape victims.

Parliamentary committee on human rights and gender conducted the discussions during a meeting on Monday during which members deliberated on amending the sexual offenses act.

The committee is to engage in discussions with the Ministry of Health, Maldives Medical Association, Maldives Nursing Association as well as doctors from Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and ADK Hospital.

During the meeting, IGMH doctor Mohamed Aseel Jaleel revealed that it is important to enlighten what a rape evidence kit must include, as well as the rape victim’s consent to provide samples.

The doctor added that it is important to use evidence kits that meet all the requirements.

Highlighting that victims may provide samples to hospitals even now, the doctor added that a rape evidence kit is important to carry out the procedure under set protocols.

Doctor at ADK Hospital, Abdulla Niyaf revealed that although everything linked to victim’s consent has been highlighted in the laws, it is important to further enlighten victim consent in sexual offenses as the amendments are brought.

It may also be deemed sexual abuse if samples are collected from a victim, without their consent.

In this regard, there must be set protocols to follow if victims refuse to provide samples.

Shedding light on the importance of establishing a facility specialized for the matter, the doctor noted that this will help reduce the strain on evidence during the court stage.

Deputy Director General at the Health Ministry, Thasleema Usman revealed that there must be standards set for the procedure if a victim approaches willingly.

Doctors further stressed on the importance of procedures that need to be followed in the case of rape victims being children or those with special needs.

The most expensive product in a rape evidence kit will be the swab for DNA sampling, said Dr. Niyaf, who added that if they were to use the swabs used during Covid-19 testing, expenses could be reduced.

Committee members also touched down on the importance of establishing procedures that will ensure the integrity of victims.