Today, on July 6, 2023, the inauguration ceremony of the renovated unit for medico-legal examination of survivors of physical and sexual violence took place at the Forensic Medicine Center. The unit has been renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. As a result of the renovation, beneficiaries will be examined in spaces equipped according to international standards.

The official inauguration ceremony of the new section was attended by the leadership of the ministries involved in the comprehensive response to cases of sexual violence: the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, and the UNFPA Moldova Team.

The renovation project of the unit for medico-legal examination of survivors of violence is part of a series of actions undertaken by UNFPA to enhance the systemic response to cases of sexual violence.

„Sexual violence is a crime, and every case of this nature must be punished. Survivors of these crimes need to receive quality and immediate assistance, and society as a whole needs to unite its efforts to prevent the risks of sexual violence and support survivors. The fact that we are here, together with representatives of several ministries, confirms the serious steps we are taking to implement the commitments under the Istanbul Convention, with a multisectoral approach”, mentioned Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova.

„I am convinced that the opening of this unit will lead to the improvement of medical expertise services and, most importantly, to the efficient access to justice, as this expertise is extremely important in court proceedings. Considering that this examination must meet multiple requirements, the inauguration of this unit will ensure the establishment of these guarantees and avoid re-victimization”, stated Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Moldova.

„The opening of this unit is of great importance for the Ministry of Health, as it will strengthen both the legal and medical aspects. At the same time, the new section is crucial in collecting medical evidence and highlighting the criminal act, contributing to the investigation process and bringing the perpetrators to justice. This would not have been possible without our partners from UNFPA, to whom I express gratitude for the opportunity to start this initiative, as we do not stop here”, said Alexandru Gasnaș, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova.

„Sexual violence is not an unfortunate incident or an accident that happens to someone else, but a problem that involves all of us, whether as potential victims, silent witnesses, or potential perpetrators. The phenomenon of sexual violence against women and girls can only be addressed through joint efforts and intersectoral cooperation, and together with the Ministry of Health, we aim to equip more regional hospitals, with the support of UNFPA, to provide better multisectoral assistance to victims of sexual violence”, mentioned Felicia Bechtold, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova.

During the renovation process, the infrastructure networks were changed, and a separate entrance adapted to the needs of people with disabilities was created. Additionally, the medico-legal examination room was equipped with modern equipment, including a gynecological chair for women with disabilities. The renovated unit also includes spaces for survivors of sexual violence to have discussions with psychologists and law enforcement officers. This renovation is part of the equipment cycle, which represents a qualitative leap in the multidisciplinary response to cases of sexual violence.

„Previously, victims of sexual violence were examined in much more limited and inadequate conditions for people with special needs, which created significant difficulties in accessing these services. However, today, the capacities of the Forensic Medicine Center have reached a new level, providing improved conditions for both survivors of sexual violence and medical staff”, highlighted Vasile Șarpe, Director of the Forensic Medicine Center.

Additionally, the renovated unit provides the possibility of maintaining confidentiality and preventing victimization due to the separate entrance and is fully adapted for victims with special needs. Moreover, consumables and medical-legal kits have been donated to the experts of the Center, which contain equipment and supplies for the examination and collection of biological samples during examinations conducted outside the center (in the case of victim admission to medical institutions).

The medical equipment in the renovated unit of the Forensic Medicine Center was procured by UNFPA Moldova - the United Nations Population Fund.

In 2021, Moldova adopted the standardized clinical protocol for the management of cases of sexual violence, developed by the Expert Group under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The protocol contains the best practices for providing services to survivors of sexual violence.

Beyond equipment and capacity-building support, in 2023, UNFPA Moldova initiated the  „Set Free” campaign to raise awareness and mobilize society against sexual violence. The campaign informs the general public about the issue of sexual violence, the available services for survivors, and supports the mobilization of actors involved in prevention and combating this phenomenon.

Sexual violence is a global phenomenon. The survey published in 2014 by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights on violence against women in the EU showed that one in three women has experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, every tenth woman has been subjected to sexual violence since the age of 15, and one in twenty women has been raped. The proportions of this problem require prompt actions and a coordinated response from all social actors, as well as the provision of quality services and assistance.