Pretoria - More than 170 nurses and doctors in Gauteng have been trained to respond appropriately to the health needs of survivors of sexual assault.
The Gauteng Health Department said the training has been done to ensure efficient medical/legal examinations are conducted when gathering forensic evidence to help in the prosecution of cases.
Through the training, the health professionals are able to respond appropriately to the health needs of survivors, including attending to their physical injuries, immediate and long-term psychological support, prevention of STIs 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, which provide PEP treatment to survivors of sexual assaults. These include 24 Clinical Forensic Medical Service Facilities (five in Ekurhuleni, seven in Johannesburg Metro, two in Sedibeng, seven in Tshwane and three in West Rand) plus 23 centres based in hospitals, community health centres and clinics.
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.
Health MEC Hope Papo said the department’s efforts have made meaningful strides in upping the fight against sexual assault incidents.
“The proportion of health care 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 the rights of patients to self-determination and reduced discrimination to survivors,” said MEC Papo.
He also added that the health care 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.”
Sister Sally Mbolayeni, who now has a Diploma in Forensic Nursing, said the patients they see are vulnerable because of the ordeal they have been through. Well trained nurses, doctors and social workers help in their journey to recovery.
“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,” said Mbolayeni, who has been practising for 10 years.
From 2007 to 2012, the number of people accessing the service and qualifying for PEP (those who report rape within 72 hours and test negative for HIV) has been increasing every year.
A total of 8 509 patients accessed the service in 2007/08 and this grew to 9 992 in 2011/12, indicating growing public confidence in the service. – SAnews.gov.za
