THEMATIC REPORT 2017 SEXUAL TORTURE law that recognises sexual violence as a method of torture or ill-treatment. • States must ensure that police forces are informed about and respect the rights of survivors to report crimes and take action on their cases. • States must ensure that a well-functioning and impartial judicial system brings perpetrators to justice. • States must introduce comprehensive policies and budgets to provide legal assistance for victims of sexual torture and ensure they can access the justice system promptly and without discrimination. • Judges and prosecutors must ensure that claims for rehabilitation are effectively pursued for every victim of sexual torture in a fair, non-discriminatory and timely manner, that punishment for perpetrators and reparation for victims take account of the broad and devastating effects of sexual torture and reflect the gravity of the crime, and that trials with victims of sexual torture are held in a supportive manner that respects their trauma. Evidence from similar cases must be gathered to reinforce the burden of proof for cases of sexual torture. • Governmental legal aid should be provided to survivors. Policy-makers should create laws and policies which support victims of sexual torture. Protection schemes for victims and witnesses must be put in place. • Where this is not the case, rehabilitation centres and other NGOs specialised in legal aid should offer free legal assistance to beneficiaries. Governments should make funds available to this end. • NGOs and civil society should advocate and lobby for changes that will ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. • Rehabilitation centres should be enabled to offer psychological support, which encourages people to report the crimes and continue to support survivors throughout the judicial process and after the trial is over. page 32 Rehabilitation centres should be enabled to offer psychological support, which encourages people to report the crimes and continue to support survivors throughout the judicial process and after the trial is over.