Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

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WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 221
of the individual’s history, a mental status examination,
an assessment of social functioning and the formulation
of clinical impressions. A psychiatric diagnosis should be
made, if appropriate. Because psychological symptoms
are so prevalent among survivors of torture, it is highly
advisable for any evaluation of torture to include a
psychological assessment.” 587
“If an evaluation of the credibility of an individual’s
report of torture is requested within the framework of a
judicial procedure by a State authority, the person to be
evaluated must be told that this implies lifting medical
confidentiality for all the information presented in the
report. However, if the request for the psychological
evaluation comes from the tortured person, the expert
must respect medical confidentiality.” 588
Self-care and the role of legal and health-care
professionals
Working with those who have suffered gender-based violence
can be stressful and lead to psychological harm for those
hearing testimonies and examining victims. It is therefore
important for health professionals to have appropriate
supervision by another professional. 589 The same principle of
self-care applies to advocates, including women human rights
defenders, and encapsulates care to avoid psychological and
physical burnout. 590
While the general norm is for all medical practitioners to
maintain strict confidentiality, the rule is not absolute and may
allow for exceptions, particularly where breaching
587
Ibid, paragraph 261.
588
Ibid, paragraph 264.
589
Ibid, page 51-52.
590
Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition, “Our Right
to Safety: Women Human Rights Defenders’ Holistic Approach to
Protection” (Association for Women’s Rights in Development, 2014),
pages 13-15.