THE SHOCKING reality of rape statistics in our country reveals that a woman is raped every 26 seconds.
Forty percent of women will be raped in their lifetime and only one in four rapes are reported to police.
Not only are victims scarred for life by the ordeal, they are often so traumatised they do not know where to turn for help or what channels to follow.
LifeLine Zululand Director Michelle Jewlal says their organisation is active in the fight against gender-based violence and through their Victim Empowerment Programme engages with community members, local and provincial government and national bodies supporting an integrated approach and collaboration to eradicate these violent acts.
LifeLine Zululand Social Work Supervisor Nondumiso Mayise says it is important for rape survivors to know where they can receive assistance and the necessary support.
‘Locally, sexual assault survivors receive help at Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) in Ngwelezana, which is a one-stop facility.
‘The TCC offers an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to rape care, based on respect, comfort, restoring dignity and ensuring justice for children, women and men who are victims of sexual violence.
‘Patients do not have to move from one place to another to get help. They are offered the necessary services at one place with all the required resources.
‘The counsellor explains all the procedures that will be followed once the survivor arrives at the TCC.’
ALSO READ: SHOCKING: St Lucia woman gang raped in front of husband
Support
LifeLine Zululand’s Victim Empowerment Programme, implemented in the King Cetshwayo District, aims to strengthen the TCC programme operational at Ngwelezana Hospital.
The social workers and counsellors stationed at the TCC provides first response counselling as well as therapeutic counselling to survivors of rape and/ or sexual assault, to facilitate emotional healing going forward.
Counsellors are available 24 hours a day and the following services are rendered at TCC:
• Explanation regarding TCC processes and time frames
• Risk assessment to ensure a patient’s immediate safety and exclude any suicidal thoughts.
• Trauma containment with patient and family
• HIV/Aids pre/post test counselling and PEP adherence support offered to patient
• Psycho-social support rendered to patient and family
• Referral to psychologist and/or other organisations should the need arise
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