Combating Gender-Based Violence: UK Shares Expertise with India
Panjim: The UK and India have reaffirmed their commitment to combating gender-based violence through a joint forensics workshop held in Goa, India. The two-day workshop, convened by Dr. Pinky Anand, former Additional Solicitor General of India, brought together experts from India and the UK to share best practices and operational insights on forensic evidence collection and analysis.
The workshop focused on enhancing investigations and judicial outcomes for victims of gender-based violence. Participants explored topics such as crime scene management, forensic chain of custody, digital and medical forensics, and presenting forensic evidence at trial.
Dr. Pinky Anand emphasized the critical role of forensics in delivering justice for victims of heinous crimes. “We are committed to making a difference and improving judicial outcomes for victims of gender-based violence,” she said.
The UK Government’s participation in the workshop demonstrates its commitment to deepening cooperation with Indian partners to combat gender-based violence. Minister Counsellor Political and Press, British High Commission, Becks Buckingham, said, “We appreciate the efforts of the authorities in Goa to keep our citizens safe and look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure justice is done.”
The workshop built upon an international roundtable on taking a victim-centric approach to gender-based crime, which identified forensics as a top priority for joint future collaboration. The UK Government’s support for this initiative underscores its priority in protecting women and tackling rape and sexual assault.
Alok Kumar, Director General of Police, Goa, highlighted the importance of forensic science and technology in modern policing. “We are committed to ensuring justice through scientific precision and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the UK,” he said.
The workshop marked a significant milestone in the fight against gender-based violence, with participants committing to take the discussions further in the coming months.
A team of esteemed experts from the UK, including retired Judge Brian Barker CBE KC, Professor Robert Green from the University of Kent, and Charles Dickinson from Ernst & Young UK, has shared its expertise on Operation Soteria, a groundbreaking approach to investigating rape and serious sexual assault offenses (RASSO).
Launched in response to growing national concerns in UK, Operation Soteria aims to increase the number of adult rape and serious sexual assault cases reaching charge and deliver sustained improvement in the criminal justice system’s response. The operation has led to the development of the first National Operating Model (NOM) for investigating rape and serious sexual offenses.
Key milestones include the implementation of Operation Soteria across all 43 police forces in England and Wales in July 2023. The National Operating Model will be implemented in all forces, requiring detailed engagement with key stakeholders.
Annual home affairs dialogues oversee cooperation between law enforcement agencies, and in April 2023, Home Office Permanent Under Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft visited Goa to discuss improving joint capabilities and supporting law enforcement cooperation.