Thuthuzela Care Centres needs help to continue providing post-rape care
JOBURG – Amandla.mobi begins campaign to ensure all Thuthuzela Care Centres have the necessary funding to provide post-rape care services
Amandla.mobi, an independent community advocacy organisation, has begun a campaign to continue funding Thuthuzela Care Centres, which provide an invaluable service to survivors of rape.
A problem which is faced by many women is that they do not have adequate access to post-rape care services. Women who do not receive post-rape care services are then exposed to a myriad of problems including unwanted pregnancies, HIV infection and post-traumatic stress disorder among others. The campaign aims to ensure that the centres continue to receive funding and to ensure that the government provides effective post-rape care services.
“All this can be made available at Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) but their funding is drying up. This puts the critical services needed by survivors at risk, and given South Africa’s high levels of violence, this is a potential disaster,” said Thuli Ngubane, amandla.mobi campaigns manager.
“No survivor needs to carry the burden of being pregnant and/or contracting HIV from being raped while the buck is being passed around by those who can and have the power to change that,” added Ngubane.
“We must all support the call for all health facilities to provide care to rape survivors and this urgently needs an inter-departmental response which must include health, social development, the National Prosecuting Authority and others,” added Ngubane.
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With the increase in reports of gender-based violence, there is an opportunity to make sure that those entrusted with ensuring services for rape victims take a lead in providing effective post-rape services.
The campaign forms a part of the Health-e News Izwi Lami campaign which encourages rape survivors to come forward so that they can be put in touch with counselling services.
“As a community, we commit to supporting the organisations fighting with the many women facing injustices in this country. We urge all South Africans to support this campaign,” said Ngubane.
To find out more information about the campaign you can visit www.amandla.mobi/care_for_rape_survivors
Let us know how you can get involved in the campaign on WhatsApp 079 439 5345
