Filenews 27 January 2024 - by Despina Psilou
Rape victims are confronted with third world conditions, as the forensic examination of the complainants takes place in a room similar to a warehouse at Makarios Hospital and exclusively in Nicosia, regardless of the district in which the victim is located.
As the director of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies, Susanna Pavlou, told "F", "they are suffering and re-victimizing the victims of this horrible experience, transferring them to be examined in Nicosia". According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Health, Pavlou explains, the reason for the transfer of victims to the capital is that hospitals in other cities do not have the appropriate infrastructure for forensic examination, which also ensures their privacy.
But, she said, looking at the site at Makarios Hospital, one understands that the Ministry's claim is not true. "That is, that they cannot provide such spaces in the other hospitals," she said, adding: "We are talking about a small room, with the absolute basics."
She also wondered if this would solve the problem. "With the transfer of victims from one province to another in order to undergo forensic examination after a very, very difficult and traumatic experience, while the examination itself is a difficult process? Can't we also secure space in hospitals in other provinces to provide services?"
She also stressed the need to create specialised centres to support victims of rape and sexual violence. "It's something that exists in so many countries abroad. They have a multidisciplinary team, support is offered to victims. We are a long way off." She noted that a group of experts of the Council of Europe indicated the absence of specialized units in Cyprus.
"While there is infrastructure, even the 'Women's House' is not being used to conduct a forensic examination," he underlined, adding that even if they take advantage of the possibilities provided by the "Women's House", the problem will still not be solved for the rest of the provinces. "It is an essential service that needs to be offered, especially since complaints are so frequent. In 2022 they amounted to 57."
Besides, she said, the transfer of victims to Nicosia and consequently the delay it entails, negatively affects the collection of evidence. "As time goes by, there is a risk of spoilage."
Another problem, Pavlou said, is that in Cyprus "only forensic pathologists can carry out the examination and we only have three men too. In other countries, such as England, other specialties (nurses, midwives, gynaecologists) can be trained appropriately."
However, she concluded, the creation of a "Women's House" in all provinces would solve any gaps that exist. "We support multidisciplinary structures such as the 'Women's House', as it would offer coordination between services" and holistic support to the victim.
12 hours waiting for examination
This issue came to light following a question submitted by AKEL MP George Koukoumas to the Ministry of Health. The occasion was the rape allegations filed on September 14, 2023 by two women in the district of Paphos.
"It took almost 12 hours for the required forensic examination of the two women to be carried out, after they were transferred from Paphos to the Gynaecology Clinic of Archbishop Makarios III Hospital in Nicosia. In addition, brought to our attention is a decision of the Ministry of Health, according to which the examination of adults who report sexual abuse is carried out exclusively at Makarios Hospital, which is the only one that, according to the relevant decision, has appropriate areas that ensure privacy, as well as continuous access to experienced medical staff. According to the decision, the examinations of persons who report physical and/or sexual abuse are carried out exclusively by the on-duty coroner."
