Donate Now

Scar Free Royal Patron and Chief Investigator SPARC further support for conflict-related sexual violence survivors

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh and Professor Iain Whitaker OBE are back at Panzi Hospital to advance work on the SPARC project, supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence 📸 Aaron Chown, Chief Royal Photographer at PA

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh leans down and plays with a baby in its mother's arms

2 October 2025

Our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, and Scar Free Chief Investigator, Professor Iain Whitaker OBE, have returned to Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo to continue the work of SPARC: the Swansea-Panzi Alliance for Reconstruction and Care of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

The visit follows a high-level roundtable at St James’s Palace in early September, hosted by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. The event marked significant progress in the development of SPARC and reinforced the UK’s leadership role in tackling CRSV, highlighting the transformative potential of international cooperation, medical science, and sustained advocacy.

Read the full story of the latest visit on www.royal.uk:

Read more

 

About SPARC

The SPARC initiative – instigated by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh – aims to advance the understanding and treatment of CRSV by focusing on:

  • Surgery: Develop a world-leading collaboration between Swansea University and Panzi Hospital to improve outcomes for CRSV survivors in resource-limited settings.
  • Research: Use big-data research approaches to leverage the world-class Panzi Hospital Clinical Database with the aim of establishing a new, robust classification system for CRSV injuries.
  • Training: Introduce plastic surgery techniques relevant to the treatment of CRSV injuries in the DRC and the wider international community, while building knowledge and capacity through regular reciprocal visit.

News and views

News
Professor Janet Lord wears a black top and grey cardigan as she sits at a desk covered in research equipment. Janet smiles at the camera.

Scar Free Foundation-funded research on laser treatment for burn scars published in Nature Portfolio

Published findings from the SMOOTH team reveal how laser therapy improves scarring and how timing impacts treatment.

Read: Scar Free Foundation-funded research on laser treatment for burn scars published in Nature Portfolio
Funding
Professor Amber Young stands inside a laboratory wearing a white lab coat. Amber has shoulder length red hair, a fringe, and wears black glasses. She discusses something with a seated colleague. He also wears black glasses, has short grey hair, and wears a white laboratory coat too.

Applications now open for the 2026 Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship

Made possible through Professor Amber Young’s legacy, this £20,000 Fellowship supports the next generation of burns researchers to improve care for children and young people affected by burns.

Read: Applications now open for the 2026 Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship
Events
On the left, Kristina Stiles wears a white top and glasses as she smiles at the camera holding a copy of her book 'Oops family burns', an education resource aimed at minimising domestic burns and scalds which was part funded by The Scar Free Foundation. On the right, Ben Gallagher, a British Army Special Forces Veteran, stands on a stoney path among mountains, grass and trees and smiles at the camera. Ben wears a grey walking outfit and red backpack.

Registration now open for our second Community Event, in association with Royal British Veterans Enterprise

Everyone is welcome at the second of our free, informal Community Events, featuring a talk from renowned British Army and UK Special Forces Veteran, Ben Gallagher.

Read: Registration now open for our second Community Event, in association with Royal British Veterans Enterprise

Quarterly Scar Free Foundation news, straight to your inbox.

Our Privacy Policy