SAPS and Several entities joined hands in bringing a Gender Based Violence (GBV) awareness campaign to Secunda
The short awareness campaign was held at Secunda Mall on Saturday 17 August 2022.
The campaign was spearheaded by the Fire Licence Office at Secunda Saps. Firearms are increasingly used in GBV. The Bulletin reported on a few such cases in the past.
GBV knows now sacred grounds, and even some police members are victims of GBV. This is true for Females as well as Males.
The awareness campaign focused on letting people know that there is help. There are several groups that will help should the need arise. It is important to know that there are a lot of people that are willing to help, you just need to ask.
Everybody is telling victims to get out of the situation, it is extremely difficult at times. But there is help and you will be able to get out of the abusive situation.
The organisations that helped on Saturday are:
- Thuthuzela centre
- Women’s network
- Men for change
- Kuramus
- National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
- FCS
Anyone that needs any information or help can go to the Thuthuzela care centre at Evander Hospital. The Bulletin had the opportunity to visit the centre a while back and was impressed with the facility and staff. They will provide counselling also if needed.
Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to build a case ready for successful prosecution. Fifty-one centres have been established since 2006.
The Thuthuzela project is led by the NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA), in partnership with various departments and donors as a response to the urgent need for an integrated strategy for prevention, response and support for rape victims. Since its establishment, the SOCA Unit has been working to develop best practices and policies that seek to eradicate the victimisation of women and children, while improving prosecution, particularly in the areas of sexual offences, maintenance, child justice and domestic violence.
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Thuthuzela Care Centre operations: How does the TCC work?
- Step 1: You can report a rape case directly to a TCC (based at community clinics or hospitals) or to a police station
- Step 2: TCC staff will assist to get you immediate medical attention at the Centre
- Step 3: TCC staff will arrange counselling services at the Centre
- Step 4: TCC staff will assist you to open a police case (if you want to do so immediately or even at a later stage)
- Step 5: TCC staff will arrange for on-going counselling and court preparation (if the case goes on trial)
Services offered at the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs)
- Welcome and comfort from a site co-coordinator or nurse.
- An explanation of how the medical examination will be conducted and what clothing might be taken for evidence.
- A consent form to sign that allows the doctor to conduct the medical examination.
- A nurse in the examination room.
- After the medical examination, there are bath or shower facilities for victim use.
- An investigation officer will interview the survivor and take his/her statement.
- A social worker or nurse will offer counselling.
- A nurse arranges for follow-up visits, treatment and medication for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS.
- A referral letter or appointment will be made for long-term counselling.
- The victim (survivor) is offered transportation home by an ambulance or the investigating officer.
- Arrangements for the survivor to go to a place of safety, if necessary.
- Consultations with a specialist prosecutor before the case go to court.
- Court preparation by a victim assistant officer.
- An explanation of the outcome and update of the trial process by a case manager.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous
