Policy Recommendations – The Path to a more Justiciable Solution
Based on the findings of the report, comprehensive policy recommendations were formulated to ensure the identification, documentation, and recognition of sexual crimes committed during terror attacks while improving the preparedness of SEM response forces and the international community to face such challenges. A central and overarching recommendation is to establish a coordinating body to address sexual crimes in the context of terror attacks. This body will work with SEM forces to develop protocols for identifying and documenting sexual crimes and coordinate actions among the various mechanisms addressing this issue within SEM forces. To achieve this, it will collaborate with all involved parties, including law enforcement, NGOs, experts, and more, ensuring optimal coordination, clear and efficient allocation of responsibilities, and safeguarding victims’ rights and ethical standards.
Strengthening Emergency Forces (SEM):
- Develop dedicated training for SEM forces, including identifying and documenting indications of sexual crimes in real-time.
- Establish clear procedures for initial response in chaotic zones, ensuring evidence collection and preservation.
Developing International Protocols:
- Create unified action mechanisms for identifying and documenting sexual crimes in terror zones.
- Foster global collaboration for swift recognition of sexual crimes, even without a full legal process.
- Ensure the rights of victims are respected through victim-focused approach protocols.
Changing the Evidentiary Standards for Recognition:
- Adopt a “soft recognition” approach – providing initial validity to crimes based on early indications, aiming to support victims and establish initial accountability for perpetrators.
- Redefine documentation standards in chaotic conditions to focus on identifying systematic patterns of crimes rather than solely direct proof.
Building Support Systems for Victims:
- Develop rapid and effective support systems for victims tailored to chaotic conditions in terror zones.
- Ensure initial psycho-social and legal responses for victims, supporting their recovery and pursuit of justice.
Enhancing Social and International Response:
- Promote awareness campaigns on the role of sexual crimes as a systematic component of terror.
- Strengthen cooperation mechanisms between national and international organizations to identify and document such crimes.
The recommendations aim to create systemic change in response and investigative systems designed for identifying and documenting sexual crimes committed during a terror attack. It does so both nationally and internationally, ensuring justice for victims and effectively holding perpetrators accountable.