Sexual violence against women Karin Sten Madsen Centre for Victims of Sexual Assault University hospital, Copenhagen Bruxelles 22. March 2011

3 questions How can we prevent rape from happening? How do we respond when rape has happened? How do we prevent women from being retraumatized in the aftermath of rape?

Point of departure Denmark (5 mill.) 500 reported rapes a year 8 hospital based one-stop centres Copenhagen

Framework Victims of sexual assault have a right to emergency care in the Health Services The woman does not need to press charges in order to be entitled to such a service Forensic evidence collection can be made on clients request regardless of police notification The woman has a right to tailored inter- disciplinary follow up

One stop: Forensic examination Medical treatment Emergency care Psycho -social follow up

Non-judgemental Caring Non-invasive examination Return of control to the woman Written information Optimism on recovery Solveig Dahl Crisis intervention Model of care

Medical examination and treatment Model of care Sexual transmitted diseases Chlamydia HIV Gonorrhea (men only) Hepatitis B Emergency contraception – pregnancy test Pain Sleeplessness

Ensure safety! Targeted psychological treatment Assisting reconstruction of social network Co-ordination of community based responses Information on legal system Support through the legal process Solveig Dahl Psycho-social follow up Model of care

Lessons learned about Barrieres to seeking help The police and the legal system Restorative Dialogues

police investigation not guilty discontinued case discontinuedtrial guilty CPS prosecute offender cautionedoffender charged Rape Attrition Process rape reported no-crimedcase crimed no further action rape not reported RAPE Rape Attrition Process

In the aftermath of rape On the curriculum of the Police Academy educating the police on: knowledge of rape (police)attitudes towards victims of rape and how to adress women who have been raped

In the aftermath of rape So what’s wrong with a bit of gang rape??

In the aftermath of rape Educating the legal system

In the aftermath of rape Restorative dialogues can empower women encourage men to take responsibility

3 questions (in 3 quarters of an hour!) How can we prevent rape from happening? How do we respond when rape has happened? How do we prevent women from being retraumatized in the aftermath of rape?

How can we prevent rape from happening? Or How do we prevent men from becoming rapists?