VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GENDER VIOLENCE

1. Every clinic has established working relationships with the nearest police officer and social welfare officer by having visits from them at least twice a year.

2. A member of staff of every clinic has received training in the identification and management of sexual, domestic and gender related violence. The training includes gender sensitivity and counselling.

1.1 All relevant guidelines / protocols related to women health issues.
1.2 A suitable library of references and journals on sexual offences, domestic and gender violence.
1.3 The clinic has a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of the nearest accredited health care practitioners, police and social workers who would be involved in dealing with these cases.
1.4 The clinic has a list of names and addresses of NGOs or other organisations (e.g. CBO) which undertake appropriate counselling (e.g. FAMSA, ATIC) for violence, child abuse and sexual offences.

2.1 There is a room available at short notice for private, confidential consultations.

3.1 Emergency contraceptive pills.

4.1 The clinic staff fast track in a confidential manner any rape victim to a private room for appropriate counseling and examination.
4.2 The staff always include a question on gender violence in the history taking from women with depression, headaches, stomach pains or a known abusive partner.
4.3 The staff include diplomatic probing of the domestic situation in taking histories of children with failure to thrive, recurrent episodes of trauma or behavioural problems.
4.4 All cases of sexually transmitted disease in children are managed as cases of sexual offence or abuse.
4.5 When a person presenting at a clinic alleges to have been raped or sexually assaulted the allegation is assumed to be true and the victim is made to feel confident they are believed and are treated correctly and with dignity.
4.6 A detailed medical history is recorded on the patient record card and a brief verbal history of the alleged incident is taken and noted - with an indication that these are not a full account. These notes are kept for 3 years.
4.7 Staff explain that referral is necessary to an accredited health practitioner and arrangements are made expeditiously and while awaiting referral emergency medical treatment is given with the consent of the victim: prophylactic treatment against STD and post-coital contraception.
4.8 The victim is given information on the follow-up service and the possibilities of HIV infection and what to discuss with the accredited health practitioner at the hospital or health centre.
4.9 The staff even though non-accredited are not prohibited from dealing with rape victims but must keep patient records.
4.10 Victims are not allowed to wash before being seen by an accredited health practitioner.
4.11 Women who have been raped or abused are attended to by a female health worker and if this is not possible (e.g. a male district surgeon comes to the clinic) then another women is present during the examination.
4.12 The victim is given brief information about the legal process and the right to lay a charge.
4.13 If the victim now indicates a desire to lay charges the police are called to the clinic.
4.14 Clinic staff inquire if charges will or have been laid with the SA Police Service.
4.15

5.1 All patients are referred to the next level of care when their needs fall beyond the scope of competence of clinic staff.

6.1 All patients, community, and children attending clinic are educated and informed on abuse.

7.1 Patients records are kept according to protocol with emphasis on confidentiality and accuracy.
7.2 The clinic keeps a confidential record of all claims of sexual offences, wife battering and child abuse (sexual, physical, emotional and nutritional).

8.1 Clinic staff establish links with relevant organisations already operating and providing services for victims of abuse.
8.2 Staff encourage community participation on health promotion to curb domestic and gender violence.

9.1 Staff collaborate with other departments like the police, relevant NGOs and CBOs to reduce the violence and give reassurance and support.