The International Criminal Court and the pursuit of sexual violence crimes | Australian Human Rights Institute
Patricia V Sellers, special advisor on gender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), is ensuring gender analysis is at the heart of the fight to end impunity for genocide and war crimes, including sexual and gender-based violations. Visiting Australia as the Australian Human Rights Institute’s Distinguished Visitor, and speaking in a personal capacity, rather than on behalf of the ICC, Ms Sellers adds that she is confident the Court will soon make its first convictions for sexual violence in its 20-year history. Ms Sellers is one of many special advisors to the ICC, and the third advisor on gender. The role involves advising the office of the prosecutor, including the investigation and trial teams, on gender matters and how these relate to prosecution strategies and evidence gathering. These issues include sexual violence, and analysing evidence that involves men, women, boys and girls. Gendered analysis of the evidence informs not just what the team might charge, but how it frames