image: Dr. Lisa Smith, University of Leicester, is pictured. view more
Credit: University of Leicester
Researchers from the University of Leicester have launched a new project to investigate alternative ways of collecting DNA evidence from victims of sexual violence in conflict zones and displaced communities, including refugee camps.
The project, which is led by Dr Lisa Smith from the University of Leicester's Department of Criminology, will explore new methods for collecting forensic DNA evidence in cases of sexual violence for use in regions where victims do not have access to medical facilities in order to provide victims with access to justice that may otherwise be unavailable.
The research is being launched before representatives from the UN and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan at the UN's HeForShe's First-Ever #GetFree Tour at the University of Leicester on Tuesday 29 September.
Dr Smith explained: "In regions experiencing armed conflict, it is well documented that sexual violence is used strategically by armed groups against communities, families, and individuals. Although the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is prohibited by international criminal law, these cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute, often because of a lack of available evidence. Forensic examinations of victims are often not carried out due to a lack of access to medical facilities, lack of trained medical and police professionals, and safety and security concerns.
"I hope that this sort of research will help to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence against vulnerable people in circumstances such as armed conflict and displaced communities, and encourage international organisations to seek innovative ways to use forensic science to give victims of sexual violence access to justice around the world."
The first phase of the project, which is supported by the University Prospects Fund, involves researchers from the University of Leicester's Departments of Criminology and Genetics collaborating with Thermo Fisher Scientific to test a variety of alternative DNA recovery techniques in order to determine their suitability for use on the ground in challenging circumstances, in order to overcome technical and cultural barriers which currently exist in remote regions.
The team will also be bidding for a large research grant in early 2016 which will enable them to conduct research 'on the ground' in various affected regions worldwide.
The project will be highlighted amongst other Leicester research at the UN HeForShe event. Leicester has been chosen by the United Nations as an IMPACT champion to identify and test gender equality initiatives for the UN Women's HeForShe 10x10x10 international campaign to get a billion boys and men involved in championing the rights of women. Ten university leaders worldwide - including Professor Paul Boyle, President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester - will join 10 world leaders and 10 company chief executives to spearhead the campaign with game-changing action for gender equality.
Dr Smith said: "The HeForShe campaign aims to achieve gender equality, and sexual violence is just one of the ways that women, men, and children are victimised around the world. The HeForShe campaign is led by UN Women, and part of their remit is the aim to end sexual violence against women and work towards peace and security for women and girls worldwide. This research project hopes to use forensic science to offer justice to victims of sexual violence and support the prosecutions of perpetrators around the world."
The project will also examine wider areas in parallel to the DNA-related research, including aspects related to the interviewing of victims and witnesses. The interviewing of victims and witnesses is a crucial part of the investigation of sexual violence in these regions, but there is currently a lack of research on issues relating to interview practices in these regions, for example, how the use of language interpreters influences the interview setting.
Professor Mark Jobling from the University of Leicester's Department of Genetics added: "The technology for DNA testing is powerful and robust, and in the UK, where we have a functional criminal justice system, we're accustomed to its routine use supporting convictions for rape. We aim to be smart about how we apply it, so we can also make a real difference in the more dangerous and chaotic situations that exist in conflict zones."
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* Press release for launch of HeForShe #GetFree Tour at University of Leicester: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2015/september/un-women-launches-heforshe-getfree-tour-at-university-of-leicester
Notes to Editors:
For more information please contact Dr Lisa Smith on ls149@leicester.ac.uk or call 0116 252 5708
MULTIMEDIA
You can watch, download and embed the following videos and podcasts:
Video - 'The University of Leicester' - A HeforShe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJImqIAYxIk
Podcast - 'What gender equality means to us': https://soundcloud.com/university-of-leicester/heforshe
'We are HeForShe' at the University of Leicester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH6xqxmw3O8
Images of University HeForShe supporters available to download at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hz1t9ftqc00re6a/AADySZ6stkNsg_fsLZY0frUJa?dl=0
PROGRAMME FOR TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER AT UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
11.00am Welcome to UN HeForShe party from the President and Vice-Chancellor
Our UN visitors will arrive in their London bus and will be greeted outside the front of the Fielding Johnson Building by our President and invited guests, together with students and staff.
1.00pm Launch event in the Peter Williams Theatre
Open to all. The event programme is as follows;
Opening video (UN)
Launch video (University of Leicester)
Welcome and keynote speech from President and Vice-Chancellor
Response from UN Women HeForShe
The Hon Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough & Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities will speak in support of HeForShe and equalities.
Feminism in the Media: Why it Matters. Dr Kaitlynn Mendes (Dept of Media & Communications)
Sexual Violence in Conflict: Empowering Victims and Supporting Prosecutions. Dr Lisa Smith (Dept of Criminology)
A conversation about HeForShe at Leicester. Provost Professor Mark Peel and Students' Union President Rachel Holland
Audience participation. One thing I would like HeForShe to change at the University is
2.30pm Close
The exhibition of gender related research will be available for staff and students to view until 3.30pm.
About UN Women
UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.unwomen.org.
Created by UN Women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform on which men and boys can engage and become change agents towards the achievement of gender equality. HeForShe invites men and boys to build on the work of the women's movement as equal partners, crafting and implementing a shared vision of gender equality that will benefit all of humanity. For more information, visit http://www.heforshe.org/.
RESOURCES FOR MEDIA:
You can find out more about HeForShe here: http://www2.le.ac.uk/institution/heforshe/heforshe
What is the University of Leicester doing about enhancing gender equality?
http://www2.le.ac.uk/institution/heforshe/advancement-of-gender-equality-at-uol
Gender Differences in Grant Success- research from Leicester:
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/think-leicester/arts-and-culture/2015/gender-differences-in-grant-success
Professor Paul Boyle spearheads campaign for gender equality:
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/think-leicester/education/2015/professor-paul-boyle-spearheads-campaign-for-gender-equality