[child-rights] UNICEF trains Sudanese police to assist child victims of sexual violence

UNICEF Press release

Khartoum/Geneva/New York, 26 July 2004 ­ Amidst widespread reports of
sexual violence and rape of women and children in Darfur, UNICEF concluded
a three-day training of Sudanese police officers designed to assist them
in investigating cases of rape of children. This initiative is the first
of its kind and aims to sensitize police and other law enforcement
officials on how to interview children who have endured sexual violence.

During her recent visit to Sudan, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy
heard testimonies of children and women who have been victims of rape and
other forms of violence. Countless children recounted the same horrifying
story ­ almost always including rape and sexual violence, villages burned,
parents killed and entire communities forced to flee their homes.

The rape of women and children has a devastating impact on entire
communities. Women and girls are often raped in conflict situations as
form of torture and to instill shame and fear within the community. For
many girls and women, sexual violence is a culmination of a series of
assaults on their dignity. They have often lost all aspects of their
protective environment ­ with family members killed before their eyes with
complete impunity, siblings and mothers raped and entire families
displaced.

"The training of police officers is a first step in the right direction
because only well trained personnel should interview children who have
been raped or sexually abused" said Bellamy. "While insecurity is still
rampant in Darfur, the Government of Sudan has a responsibility to protect
its women and girls from the extraordinary brutality they have endured for
far too long. Rape is not inevitable in war time: it is a crime and
perpetrators must be held accountable."

Major General Sayyid El Hussein Osman, Deputy Director General of Police
in Sudan, and Cecilio Adorna, Acting UNICEF Representative in Sudan,
opened the three day training session at the Police Training Academy at
Rabat University in Khartoum. Two experienced Jordanian police officers
--one man and one woman -- took part in the training of their Sudanese
counterparts.  Two Sudanese police officers also served as resource
persons with the 32 participants.


Background information:

The Jordanian Police have developed expertise unique in the region in
assisting child victims of sexual abuse and other forms of violence.

In the next few months, the Jordanian police and UNICEF will assist the
Government of Sudan in the training of all Sudanese police officers in
Darfur, with special attention to the training of police women.

The humanitarian appeal for Sudan is still under funded ­ $19 million have
been committed to the $40 million appeal.



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