#DNAFightsRape - Save the Evidence: Empowering Justice for Rape Survivors Through DNA Forensics

Strategic Insights -

As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies, a rising tide of violence against women and girls in India has sparked a national movement to combat this scourge. The #DNAFightsRape-Save the Evidence initiative, launched a year ago, has gained momentum, with students from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) creating a musical composition to urge citizens to preserve DNA evidence and demand it in cases of rape and sexual assault. The initiative, in partnership with Delhi Police, AIIMS, UN Women India, and Red FM, aims to educate people on the role of DNA forensics in expediting India's criminal justice system in cases of sexual violence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The #DNAFightsRape-Save the Evidence initiative, launched a year ago, has gained momentum despite the pandemic, with several partners joining, including National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Girl Up (UN Foundation), and Fever104 FM.
  • The initiative aims to educate people on the role of DNA forensics in expediting India's criminal justice system in cases of sexual violence and has partnered with organizations such as Delhi Police, AIIMS, UN Women India, and Red FM.
  • The musical composition, created by students from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), urges citizens to preserve DNA evidence and demand it in cases of rape and sexual assault.
  • The importance of forensic DNA technology as an ally in the fight against sexual violence cannot be overstated, according to Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India.
  • Despite the progress made, only 1 in 4 rape cases in India lead to conviction, and the country still conducts only a little over 20,000 DNA tests annually for half a million violent crimes.
  • The #DNAFightsRape citizen awareness drive has become a movement, with members of the civil society stepping forward to express the message of Don't Wash, Don't Clean. Save the Evidence in their own unique ways.

Statistics:

  • India conducts only a little over 20,000 DNA tests annually for half a million violent crimes. (Source: Tim Schellberg, Founder & President, Gordon Thomas Honeywell-GA)
  • Only 1 in 4 rape cases in India lead to conviction. (Source: Arneeta Vasudeva, Head, Public Relations, Ogilvy India)
  • Since its launch, the #DNAFightsRape-Save the Evidence initiative has gained momentum, with several partners joining the coalition, including National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Girl Up (UN Foundation), and Fever104 FM. (Source: Business Wire India)

Sources:

  • Business Wire India
  • Tim Schellberg, Founder & President, Gordon Thomas Honeywell-GA
  • Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India
  • Arneeta Vasudeva, Head, Public Relations, Ogilvy India
  • Saumit Paul, President, Chords & Co.
  • RJ Nikki, Fever104 FM
  • Dr JM Vyas, Vice Chancellor, National Institute of Forensic Sciences