Documenting for justice: Physicians for Human Rights’ evidence-based and survivor-centred model for accountability for conflict-related sexual violence

Over the past three decades, significant progress has been made in advancing accountability for conflict-related sexual violence through improved documentation practices. These advances have been strengthened by the adoption of survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches that prioritize survivors and affected communities. This paper examines how Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) developed and implemented a comprehensive strategy since 2011 to support forensic documentation of conflict-related sexual violence that is survivor-centred, trauma-informed and advocacy-driven. PHR’s approach emphasizes that effective documentation emerges from partnership, trust, recognition of local capacity and expertise, and multisectoral collaboration. The organization’s strategy focuses on documenting medico-legal evidence through interconnected interventions that: strengthen capacity for forensic evaluations; establish and nurture community-based medical-legal networks for advocacy and case-building; develop tools and technology to support evidence documentation; and promote research and analysis to advance justice efforts. This paper presents PHR’s experience implementing this approach and partnering with health workers, law enforcement professionals, lawyers and the judiciary to mobilize 2 collection of medico-legal evidence and translate this evidence into concrete impact for victims, survivors and their families.