Café Juridique: Strengthening Legal Outcomes: The Critical Role of Evidence in Effective Handling of GBV Cases.
On Friday, September 27th, 2024, the Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy, hosted a Café Juridique themed “Strengthening Legal Outcomes: The Critical Role of Evidence in Effective Handling of GBV Cases.” This event served as a vital platform to address the ongoing challenges in achieving justice for gender-based violence (GBV) victims. The event featured Madam Muhongerwa Agnes, Head of the GBV and Drugs Department at the Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA). Her presentation emphasized the essential role that evidence plays in securing legal outcomes in GBV cases.
Madam Muhongerwa articulated a broader understanding of what constitutes a crime scene. She stated, When discussing evidence, it's crucial to understand what constitutes a crime scene. Many people assume it is only the room or location where the incident occurred. However, this overlooks two other essential facets: the victim and the suspect or perpetrator. These two are the primary crime scenes, even more so than the location, and they often carry with them uncollected and unprotected evidence.”
Recent data from NPPA indicates that while conviction rates for child defilement and adult rape cases remain above average, significant hurdles persist. Many cases are lost due to inadequate evidence, late reporting, or mishandling of evidence. Addressing these issues requires improved collaboration among stakeholders and heightened community awareness.
The discussion underscored the critical role on civil society organizations play in prevention and awareness. They must ensure communities understand how to report incidents and what evidence is necessary for justice.
She concluded with a strong message by saying that evidence is the ultimate determinant of justice. Whether convicting the guilty or acquitting the innocent, the presence and quality of evidence are paramount. It is a collective failure whenever a GBV perpetrator escapes accountability or an innocent person faces a wrongful conviction. As we continue our fight for justice, it is imperative to keep evidence at the forefront of our advocacy work. Raising awareness about proper evidence collection and making informed requests from experts are crucial steps toward ensuring the integrity of our justice system.
The Café Juridique was an enlightening event that reinforced our commitment to enhancing legal outcomes for GBV victims through effective evidence handling and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in justice delivery.