Victims of sexual violence in Paris who do not wish to file a complaint immediately will be able to be examined by doctors to preserve evidence, the Paris prosecutor’s office, the Assistance Pública-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP -HP), announced on Thursday, October 10. ) and the police chief in a joint press release.
This system, which has been tested since January 2023 in the Women’s House of the Hôtel-Dieu AP-PH in Paris, has just been made official with the signing of an agreement between the Prosecutor’s Office and the AP-HP, in collaboration with the head of police.
The objective: to collect from the beginning of care to the victim the “material elements” and keep them “for three years”even when you are not yet sure if you want to file a complaint. In this way, if the victim finally decides to file a complaint, these elements can be attached to the open judicial procedure.
Psychological consultation
This system allows the victim to enjoy a time of reflection within the framework of multidisciplinary support, while preserving their rights and avoiding dismissal, acquittal or acquittal due to lack of material evidence, stressed the Public Ministry, the AP- HP and the police. headquarters.
Thus, when a victim of rape or sexual assault is treated at an AP-HP hospital, they can receive urgent care on the spot and then be referred by appointment to the doctors of the medical-judicial unit (UMJ) for examination. . Victims will also benefit from psychological consultations. If they subsequently file a complaint, they will be subject to an additional examination at UMJ.
According to figures from the Maison des femmes de l’Hôtel-Dieu AP-PH, in 2023, twenty-two victims benefited from this procedure and six patients filed complaints. From January to September 2024, sixteen victims benefited and five filed complaints.
