Making a difference in the lives of sexual assault survivors
The Gauteng Health Department has of recent times trained more health professionals in the management and care of survivors of sexual assault.
This has been done to ensure access to proficient medico- legal examinations to gather forensic evidence to assist in the prosecution of the cases.
The department has trained more than 170 nurses and doctors to respond appropriately to the health needs of survivors, including attending to their physical injuries, immediate and long-term psychological support, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and treatment, as well as HIV counselling and prevention, since the inception of the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in 2004.
Currently, there are 47 centres across Gauteng province which provide PEP treatment to survivors of sexual assaults.
These include, 24 Clinical Forensic Medical Service Facilities (five in Ekurhuleni, seven in the Johannesburg metro, two in Sedibeng, seven in Tshwane and three in West Rand) plus 23 centres based in hospitals, community health centres and clinics.
Gauteng Health MEC, Hope Papo, says the department efforts has made meaningful strides in upping the fight against sexual assault incidents, while the training offered by the department has enabled survivors to access proficient medical and legal examination to gather evidence for the prosecution of cases.
“A further 83 doctors and social workers were trained in trauma containment to enable them to understand trauma and how to manage patients in crisis. This training also raised awareness about the law, especially in relation to domestic violence, rape and child abuse.
“The proportion of healthcare professionals able to identify the purpose of obtaining informed consent has increased following the training. The purpose of the general physical examination also has increased leading to improved knowledge of interpreting findings.
“The training has also improved negative attitudes, including blaming and disbelieving victims who report sexual assault. It has improved respect for rights of patients to self-determination and reduced discrimination to survivors,” adds Papo.
Sister Sally Mbolayeni, who now has a Diploma in Forensic Nursing, says the patients they see are vulnerable, because of the ordeal they have been through, but because of well-trained nurses, doctors and social workers their journey to recovery becomes simpler and easier.
“The training that I have been exposed to ensures that I do not only assist survivors of sexual assault physically and mentally, but I represent them with facts in the justice system,” says the nurse, who has been practising for 10 years.
Papo says the healthcare provider’s knowledge and confidence in clinical care for victims of sexual assault has improved as a result of the training.
“The department has also seen an increase in the number of people benefiting from the post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the spread of HIV following sexual assault.”
