Gordon Thomas Honeywell sheds light on the importance of DNA to make India 'rape free'

Gordon Thomas Honeywell released a film conceptualised by Ogilvy on World Day for International Justice which was held on 17 July.

 

The film features writer, anchor and actor, Gitikka Ganju Dhar. She talks about the importance of DNA evidance in rape investigations. She calls upon the country's leaders to set a target year to free the nation of the rape menace.

 

Tim Schellberg, founder and president, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, said, “I am proud to endorse the #DNAFightsRape on the International Justice Day. This campaign will bring much needed awareness of the power of DNA in delivering justice to rape survivors. This awareness will create the expectation in India that when a rape occurs, DNA will be collected and tested quickly. In the United States and many other countries who were early to mainstream DNA forensics, rape survivors and their families have a general understanding of DNA evidence and they know its value to a criminal investigation. As a result, the culture in these countries is not to clean or wash evidence and pursue medical examination at the earliest. India too would see greater utilization of DNA in sexual assaults if people here made it a top priority. This would not only bring sexual offenders to justice but also act as a strong deterrent to the act of rape."

 

Arneeta Vasudeva, senior vice president, Ogilvy, said, “Rape is a malice that has permeated into this nation’s fabric and is spreading at an alarming rate. With only one in four rape cases leading to conviction, the future looks grim unless we do something about it. So let’s all on this Day of International Criminal Justice take a pledge to do our part in making India a rape-free country, and a safer community for our women and children.”  

 

Pinky Anand, senior advocate, said, “The initiative #DNAFightsRape – Save the Evidence started two years ago and has since then come a long way and gained tremendous momentum. I am happy that I could play a role in this drive trying to create awareness amongst the populace, masses on the importance of DNA evidence, especially in cases of sexual assault and rape. Today, DNA profiling has become one of the most important evidence for detection of crimes like rape and murder, simplifying and easing not just the process of investigations, but often forming clinching evidence in cases where conviction would otherwise have been difficult. Many courts in India are now able to quickly deliver concrete and effective judgments in cases of sexual offences, especially rape because of the veracity and the absolute nature of DNA evidence.”

 

"In the last six months, the judiciary has treated forensic DNA results as conclusive evidence. The process is today becoming successful only due to proper and timely collection of biological evidence by the police and medical examiners from the crime scene and the victim’s body following an incident. Over the last two years, owing to the increased awareness of the importance and the impact of DNA evidence, the testing of DNA in criminal incidents has doubled. We must take care of two things, preserve the evidence in a rape case and second, demand for DNA testing. And if we can do this, we will be able to make this city and this country, a safe place for our women and children,” Dr Anand added.