6. MONITORING METHODOLOGY Teams should develop and adapt their monitoring methods to ensure that the issue of SGBV is properly incorporated into their work, and to mitigate against the specific risks and challenges associated with monitoring for SGBV. It may also be useful for monitoring teams to communicate and co-ordinate with other monitoring mechanisms in their country, or those in other jurisdictions, to discuss how they approach the issue of SGBV, to share ideas and information and, where appropriate, to avoid duplication of efforts. They should also make sure that monitors themselves are sensitive to the issue of SGBV and that they understand how to interact with the individuals concerned with decency and respect. 6.1 Reviewing Laws, Policies and Procedures As a first strategy, monitoring bodies should review all relevant laws, policies and procedures to assess whether they address the issue of SBGV and whether they do so adequately and in accordance with international human rights standards on preventing and responding to gender-based violence. This is an important step to determine if such provisions are lacking, if existing laws and policies are being consistently applied, and if staff are aware of them. Monitoring bodies can also propose revisions, changes or new legislation where needed. This can include consideration of: > Whether there are clear laws and policies prohibiting SGBV in places of deprivation of liberty; > Whether there are gender-sensitive management policies in place and whether the staff code of conduct address SGBV? > What provisions are in place to ensure that allegations of SGBV are properly investigated, and that those found responsible are prosecuted? Are acts of violence prosecuted in the same manner they would be if perpetrated in the general community? > Whether domestic criminal law, policies and procedures provide appropriate protection against SGBV, and provide redress for victims; > Whether existing initiatives to prevent and address SGBV have been independently evaluated for effectiveness; and > Whether SGBV is included in the terms and scope of internal oversight mechanisms. 24