Can you stop the closure of the Sexual Assault Clinic?
The Sexual Assault Clinic, a non-profit organisation in Western Extension, is facing closure on December 1.
The organisation provides expert medico-legal examinations of young victims (under the age of 12) who have fallen victims of sexual or physical assault.
Co-founder of Sexual Assault Clinic Christa Rollin said the reason for the possible closure is financial constraints.
“The clinic is dependent on sponsorships and donations to keep its doors open,” said Rollin, a Rynfield resident.
“Our main sponsor for the past six years has unexpectedly terminated the clinic’s service, leaving us with no income.”
The clinic has been a service provider for a local security company.
The organisation was founded in 2011 by Rollin and Michelle McLaughlin.
McLaughlin now lives in the United States of America.
“We do DNA collection, photograph injuries, write reports for the police, court, social services and testify in court as well,” said Rollin.
She said her passion for the protection of children made her realise that children need a voice, hence the birth of the Sexual Assault Clinic.
Rollin is a registered nurse trained as a forensic nurse and holds an LLB degree and is studying towards her Master’s in law, specialising in child law.
“I’ve been working and trained in the field of forensic nursing since 2009 and I have done over 1 500 medico-legal examinations of rape, assault and neglected victims, she said.
“After a few years in this field, I realised that children fall through the system and parents become disempowered as they don’t know how to help these little victims.”
The clinic also provides 24/7 telephonic advisory services which are utilised by concerned parents from all over South Africa.
Rollin added that they have assisted people from Namibia, Swaziland, Belgium, the United States of America and England.
“We also offer three-day emotional healing camps to vulnerable and abused children,” she said.
Rollin said one of the cases that stood out for her and touched her deeply was the Springs House of Horrors story.
“I’ve examined all five children as well as the mother and I testified at the North Gauteng High Court,” she said.
“In the past six years, I have personally attended to 560 victims of abuse in the Benoni area and surroundings.
“I testified in over 87 cases in various regional courts and I have attended to approximately 2 300 calls for the advisory services.”
Rollin said for the clinic to keep its doors open, they need a financial sponsor to ensure that at least a few months’ expenses are covered.
She said the support of the Benoni community in the past six years has helped hundreds of children and their families through the bad experiences.
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