February 25, 2013
IFHHRO member PHR-USA has developed an app that will help preserve forensic evidence of mass atrocities, including sexual violence and torture, that can be used in courts. Health care providers will be able to use the app to compile medical evidence, photograph survivors’ injuries, and securely transmit the data to relevant authorities.
In February 2013, Physicians for Human Rights received the first prize for this product, MediCapt, in the 2013 USAID-Humanity United Tech Challenge for Atrocity Prevention competition. The Tech Challenge emerged from President Obama’s Genocide Prevention Initiative, launched in April 2012, when he pledged to support creative 21st century solutions to prevent mass atrocities. “I’m so proud of PHR’s Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones team that developed this mobile app in collaboration with our technology partners”, said PHR Executive Director Donna McKay.
Karen Naimer, director of PHR’s Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones added: “I have seen how difficult it is for doctors and nurses to provide medical care for survivors while also trying to meticulously document their injuries. I expect MediCapt will enable health professionals to gather the medical data needed so that their legal counterparts can manage the entire evidentiary chain more effectively.”
Source: Press release physiciansforhumanrights.org