Between June 4 and July 9, 90 emergency doctors, paramedics and nurses from the country participate in training in the field of pre-hospital medical care provided in cases of rape. This training program is organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and the Center for Emergency Medical Care, with the support of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of the United States of America.
"It is very important that medical personnel provide quick and quality help to victims of sexual abuse. Continuing education and professional training of doctors is essential so that they know how to provide first aid, how to treat and support rape victims, respecting their dignity and providing them with emotional support. This can make a big difference in recovery and obtaining justice for the victims," said Victoria Ciubotaru, gynecologist at the Mother and Child Institute.
The training program consists of four modules that include lectures by national experts on the basic principles and stages of providing medical care after rape, first-line help, mental health assessment of rape victims, intervention and first aid, and the role the health system in proving rape and other crimes concerning sexual life.
“Healthcare staff are the first contact a rape victim has and it is imperative that we act professionally so that victims of sexual abuse feel safe in every way. This training helps us to improve our knowledge of how to provide complex support to rape victims, from emergency medical assistance to psychological help, but also aspects of proving sexual crimes", said Valentina Vasilieva-Railean, doctor of emergency, Head of the Emergency Medical Assistance substation in the Buiucani sector, Chisinau.
According to Cornelia Vintea-Creciun, program analyst for sexual and reproductive health within the UNFPA humanitarian response: "Over the past two years, UNFPA has strengthened the capacity of multidisciplinary teams of medical professionals supporting the implementation of the Standardized Clinical Protocol - Rape Case Management. In 2024 , we focused on primary and pre-hospital care, supporting the organization of six trainings for doctors and paramedics in this field. These trainings introduced the provisions of the national protocol, emphasizing the importance of the first interaction with the victim, crucial for his recovery".
In the Republic of Moldova, sexual violence is one of the most widespread forms of violence and leaves serious consequences on the lives of the victims. During 2023, in our country, 535 cases of sexual crimes were registered. Out of all of them, in 282 cases we are talking about rapes, and in the remaining 242 - cases of violent actions of a sexual nature.
