As the nation commemorates the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign, the Gauteng Department of Health would like to voice its concern on the steady increase in sexual assault cases in the province. 

  

Over the past three financial years, the Department has noted a steady increase in the number of first new sexual assault cases brought to its facilities. 

In 2015/2016, the provincial health facilities recorded 10827 cases, 11152 in 2016/17 and 11323 in 2017/2018 Financial Year. 


“The numbers are unacceptably high and we would like to call on members of our society to double their efforts in protecting women and put a stop to the sexual abuse. It is incumbent on us all to promote and protect women’s rights to safe and healthy environment free of gender based violence,” said Gauteng MEC for Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa. 

MEC Ramokgopa stressed that as the nation commemorates Mme Albertina Sisulu centenary year, society should take stock of how it treats women and girl child. She said patriarchy and misogyny continues to thrive because many good women and men look away. 

Dr Ramokgopa said society needs to confront the scourge of gender-based violence. 

 


“We plead with anyone who falls prey to sexual abuse or sexual assault, including rape not to suffer in silence, instead to report the incident immediately to the police or nearby social services facilities that will refer the victim to designated facility for assessment and assistance. It is important to report sexual assault or rape cases to allow the law to take its course including the arrest of the suspect and prevention of repeated further assault as well as to ensure early examination of the victim, said MEC Ramokgopa. 



Furthermore, Dr Ramokgopa said that the immediate examination of the victim is particularly important in that samples need to be taken within the first 72 hours from the victim in order to ensure accuracy of identification of the alleged perpetrator through DNA detection and semen analyses.  It is also important for the victim not to bath before the medical examination conducted so as not to lose the evidence. 


To ensure privacy for victims, examinations are conducted in a designated facility by specially trained healthcare personnel in a victim friendly set-up. 

“Lets us work together in bringing down the incidents of sexual violence and gender base violence in general in our society. Let us reclaim the dignity of our women and girl child”, added MEC Ramokgopa. 



The treatment offered by Gauteng Health facilities to sexual abuse or assault victims consists of physical and psychological assistance. These include test for possible infection and sexually transmitted diseases, rendering of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV/ AIDS by giving a short course of antiretroviral medicines. 

Victims are also offered counselling and psychotherapy sessions.  

To expand this service the Department plans to establish a facility in Diepsloot in this current financial year. In addition to that, plans to establish One Stop Centre facility in Evaton in Sedibeng in partnership with Department of Community Safety are at an advanced stage. 

Lastly, the Stretford Clinical Forensic Medical facility will be upgraded to be a Thuthuzela Centre in partnership with Department of Justice. 

The Department is doing its part in mainstreaming gender issues, as such the Department has spent over R10 billion rands on historical disadvantaged individual companies between 2015/16-2017/18 period. Of this amount about R3,5 billion was spent on female entrepreneurs. 

The Department has empowered women and young girls through various mechanisms including women's cooperatives initiatives. 

Of the Department’s senior management structure, 41 posts are filled by women.