What is a Thuthuzela Care Centre?
A Thuthuzela Care Centre is a designated forensic and medical service available to rape survivors as an emergency service in the 72 hours immediately after a rape. They are based at 54 hospitals across South Africa.
At the centre or unit a counsellor will be there to greet the rape victim and tell them about the services that are being offered and the procedures that must be followed by doctors, nurses and police. They will give the person emotional support and offer the same to any family member or friend that has come along with the rape victim to the centre. The doctor will then ask the rape victim to tell them about what happened, perform a medical examination and collect samples of semen, blood and saliva from the rape victims’ clothes and body.
The nurse will then offer information, perform tests and offer treatment for potential pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. The rape victim will then be offered sanitary products, a bath or shower, some refreshment and a change of underwear. A police detective will take a statement from the rape victim and open a case file. Arrangements will then be made to transport the victim home, to a shelter and for follow up and referrals to other services if needed.
During the time of COVID-19 all of the rules of sanitisation and social distancing will be applied and all medical staff will be required to wear masks and gloves while working with victims. All persons arriving at the centre or unit will be screened for symptoms of novel coronavirus. Their temperature will be taken, they will be asked if they have any of the symptoms and if they have been exposed to the virus in any way. If the person is considered at risk for COVID-19 they will be referred for testing to the nearest testing station.
For more information about the Thuthuzela Care Centres visit: https://rapecrisis.org.za/programmes/road-to-justice/
Written by Kath Dey, Director at Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust.
