KARACHI:The Sindh Police on Tuesday submitted its plans to the Sindh High Court (SHC) pertaining to the establishing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to investigate the women abuse cases.
In its suggestions, the police said the identity of sexual assault victim will be kept strictly confidential and the filing of report or taking of statement of a crime of rape, sodomy or sexual assault will be ensured in a separate room so that the face and voice of the person could be kept covered.
It is also proposed that the investigation officer or any other police official will ensure that the names of the victims or any other information which would lead to their identification by the public will not be disclosed to the media and other third parties.
The statement should be recorded in a calm atmosphere. The investigating officer suggested that the media should not provide information to anyone in this regard.
In rape cases, all records related to the court file and the investigation will be kept confidential and the statement of the victims of sexual abuse should be recorded for the first time as well. It is suggested that the affected woman be examined and samples would be taken through the Female Medico-Legal Officer.
It is suggested that DNA of the victim woman should be taken within 24 hours before taking a bath. “There are only three women medico-legal officers in Karachi,” it has been revealed in a police proposal. Each hospital should have three female medico-legal officers, the proposal said. CCTV cameras to be installed in all police stations to prevent FIR registration, the police suggest.