Buenos Aires, December 5 (NA) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) presented a rapid assessment tool designed to optimize the quality of care for women survivors of sexual violence in the Americas region. Given the persistently high levels of violence – it is estimated that one in three women in the region has suffered physical or sexual violence – this evidence-based instrument provides the public health sector with a practical mechanism to evaluate its services in clinics and emergency rooms. As learned by the Argentine News Agency, its main objective is to identify critical gaps in post-rape care and strengthen the response of personnel. The health sector as a "lifesaver" The new tool will allow countries to translate regional commitments into concrete improvements, measuring the capacity of services to respond to the needs of survivors. "Every woman and girl who has been sexually assaulted deserves timely, sensitive, and comprehensive health care," stated Britta Baer, PAHO Advisor on Violence and Injury Prevention. This close collaboration with Ministries of Health ensured that the tool reflects local realities, guaranteeing its relevance and adaptability to diverse contexts. By helping services to ensure privacy, informed consent, and connection to other services, the tool facilitates the generation of crucial data to mitigate the consequences of sexual violence and ensure that women access quality care based on respect. The tool is based on WHO clinical guidelines and focuses on the core elements of timely and compassionate care, essential for preventing unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections. The tool has already been successfully piloted in six countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru. Baer highlighted that health systems act as "lifelines" whose actions can restore dignity, prevent lifelong trauma, and break the cycle of violence. The tool was developed with the support of the Government of Canada, at the request of Ministries of Health that sought a practical instrument to monitor progress and improve services with limited resources. Adapted to the reality of Latin America This tool, the first of its kind, was initially designed in Spanish and adapted to the operational reality of health services in Latin America.
