Delhi HC holds training programme for doctors regarding handling of sexual violence cases

Yesterday, the Delhi High Court added yet another feather to its (already loaded) cap under the leadership of the Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal with a profound training programme for doctors regarding handling of sexual violence cases..The programme, apart from making doctors aware about the psyche of the victims as well as the legal issues involved, aimed at guiding them regarding collection of evidence and ensuring purity of such evidence. Other objectives of the programme include:.Ensuring that basic fundamental rights of any person are not violated in any mannerAddressing such issues as lack of sensitivity while conducting medical examinationsBringing uniformity in the practices while handling cases of sexual violence.The programme, which was attended by around 27 doctors from various Government hospitals of Delhi, was conducted by Vidya Reddy, who is the Director at Tulir-Centre for Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, Chennai..Other persons who have been engaged by the Delhi High Court for imparting training for the said purposes include Dr. Jagadeesh Narayan Reddy – professor of forensic medicine at the Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, Padma Deosthali – Director at Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (2006-2016), Justice K. Kannan – Chairman of the Railway Claims Tribunal, Dr. Deepa Dixit – former member of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Advocate Vrinda Grover..The attending doctors are provided with study material and the training is conducted through videos, power point presentations and interactive sessions. A whatsapp group to enable discussions and knowledge sharing is also created before each session..Four such training programmes have already been held this year in the months of March, April, May and July and were attended by 145 doctors..A committee headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal along with its member Justice Anu Malhotra monitor proper implementation of guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the High Court pertaining to sexual offences and child witnesses..Speaking to the press, the Acting Chief Justice stated,.“Since there was so much to do in this sphere, I decided to opt for a top down approach starting from the courts. Once these doctors get trained in handling such cases, they in turn can become tutors for other doctors as well.” .The Committee, in the past, has done a stellar job by conducting training programmes for sensitization and enhancement of legal skills of all stakeholders including judges, police, prosecutors and lawyers.