Victoria Hospital opens support centre for rape victims

Victoria Hospital has opened a Thuthuzela Care Centre, which provides counselling, medical attention and assistance with opening criminal cases for rape victims.

Thuthuzela is a Xhosa word meaning “comfort”, and the centres are one-stop facilities established as part of the country's anti-rape strategy.

The aim is to reduce secondary victimisation of women and children, by treating victims with care, respect and dignity and to assist victims in building a strong case for a successful prosecution, according to the provincial department of health.

The 24/7 centre was opened on Wednesday August 31. It is the seventh at a hospital in the province and the 61st in the country.

National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, who was at last week’s launch, said that over the past 12 years, in cases reported to the centres, the conviction rate for sexual offences had increased from 60% in 2010 to 76% in 2022.

From April 2014 until March 2022, the centres have helped 263 476 victims, an average of 91 victims a day, according to Ms Batohi.

“The courts are increasingly giving long sentences for these offences, but the sad reality is that we are not going to be able to investigate and prosecute ourselves out of this scourge that is facing our country. We do need a much greater societal response,” said Ms Batohi.

Since the start of the year, the provincial health department’s forensic pathology services recorded 255 women murdered through violent acts, with 104 due to gunshot wounds, 71 due to sharp objects and 80 due to other causes. During August, 29 women in the province died due to unnatural causes.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, who was also at the launch, said the centres were a gateway to the justice system, where the law, medicine, and science converged.

“It is an infrastructural response to access justice, given the challenges faced by sexual offences survivors.”

A case of rape or sexual assault can be reported directly to a Thuthuzela Care Centre. Staff will provide immediate medical attention, counselling services, and assist in opening a police case should the victim choose to do so. Ongoing counselling and court preparation will also be arranged.

The centre at Karl Bremer Hospital in Bellville sees in excess of 150 cases a month, with predominantly more children than adults, according to Ms Batohi.

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo encouraged those affected by gender violence to use the facilities.

Call the Victoria Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre at 021 799 1235.