(a) whether the Government has circulated any proforma regarding examination of rape victims in a dignified manner;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the response received in this regard;
(c) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to a number of women`s organisations in Maharashtra
who had prepared a kit for doctors/nurses for examination of rape victims with a clearly drawn out format;and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)& (b). Yes. A revised proforma in respect of Medical Examination Report, doing away with old “finger test†method for sexual assault cases by forensic experts and doctors was circulated by Directorate General Health Services (Dte. GHS) under this Ministry to three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, namely, Dr. RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospital in March 2011 for implementation and to all the States in August 2012 with the request to direct the Institutions under the States to adopt the revised performa. No complaint has been received from any of the stakeholders about the proforma except some suggestions from some NGOs for inclusion of some more reforms.
(c) & (d). Health being a State subject, no such information in respect of Maharashtra is maintained in the Ministry. However, this Ministry is aware of a kit namely SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence) Kit for doctors/nurses for examination of rape victims with a format for examination of survivals of sexual violence which has been propagated
by some Non-Government Organizations. The contents of the SAFE Kit have already been in use in the above said three
Central Government Hospitals as per the directions of the Hon’ble High Court in its order dated 23.4.2009.