Thuthuzela turning victims into survivors

No matter what your gender, race, religion or age, anyone can become a victim of sexual violence.

Help is at hand at the Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) Ermelo, one of 55 national and five provincial centres for victims pf sexual abuse.

The centre, situated at Ermelo Provincial Hospital, is a one-stop facility introduced by the Department of Justice and Constitutional

Development in conjunction with the Department of Health, Childline and the South African Police Service.

The Highvelder paid an unexpected visit to the centre to try and understand what a rape victim has to endure after the act.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the site manager, Sipho Mkhonza, and it was clear that this centre lives up to its name, Thuthuzela, the Xhosa word for “comfort”.

Victims are normally brought to the centre by the police after the the crime has been reported.

Depending on the circumstances, they are brought in straight from the crime scene by the ambulance services or they can also go to the centre on their own.

When a victim enters the facility, he or she is greeted by the site manager who will assess the situation and ensure that a case has been or will be opened.

A social worker is on hand to brief the victim on the procedures to be performed and lend support in cases of severe trauma.

After consent is given, a specialised forensic nurse will perform a medical examination, take blood specimens and gather crucial evidence.

During the examination each patient is treated with dignity and compassion, while the evidence is collected and noted with extreme care as the evidence will later be used in court.

After the examination, the victim receives a care package containing, among others, a face cloth, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste and then offered the opportunity to take a shower and change into clean clothes.

Only after this the investigating officer on call will take the victim’s statement whereafter the victim will receive PEP medication (post-exposure pro-phylaxis) to reduce the chances of HIV infection.

A victim-assisting officer will prepare the victim on legal matters and will also keep the victim informed during the legal process.
The social worker assigned to the victim will offer support and counselling and close relatives can also seek advice or counselling at the centre.

Rather than having a victim shuttled around throughout the criminal justice system, Thuthuzela ensures that all service providers are available to rape survivors in one location.

Mkhonza urges victims to report the crime within 72 hours and not to wash or change clothing before doing so.

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