WHAT IS RAPE INTERVENTION?
This is a medical or counseling service offered by certain clinics, hospitals or organizations. Many are 24 hour services.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM RAPED?
The key factors for the victim are:
- Report to police if you want to lay a charge
- Get anti retrovirals or Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of the rape
After the rape it is advisable not to bath, change your clothes, go to the toilet or clean your teeth if you were forced to perform oral sex.
Phone the police, you will not be forced to lay a charge but they will help you.
Ensure the police take you FIRST to the nearest clinic, hospital or district surgeon's office. It is vital to get PEP treatment as soon as possible after the rape to prevent HIV infection.
It is vital that you get PEP treatment within 72 hours of the first act of penetration, the best scenario being within three to six hours. You have a chance of arresting the virus before it gets to the cells. This could prevent an HIV infection which would lead to AIDS. Oral sex also puts you at risk of HIV.
It is your priority is to prevent HIV infection, get treated first. TIME is of the essence. The police can take a statement later.
The doctor will test to see if you were HIV+ BEFORE the rape, if you already are, he or she will not give you PEP, if you are not HIV+ and it is less than 72 hours since the first act of penetration, you will be given HIV medication.
The doctor will also give medicines to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases, to prevent other infections such as hepatitis, and to prevent pregnancy (these are not always effective, so monitor your periods).
You cannot get anti-retrovirals (PEPs) from a chemist without a prescription so you have a choice of seeing a private doctor or going to a hospital or certain clinics.
FREE COUNSELLING services are offered by many organizations and religious groups indicated on the database, including Rape Crisis.
Thuthuzela Centre at G.F. Jooste Hospital in Mannenberg (Tel: 021-690-1011) is the only comprehensive center of its kind in the Cape. It is a 24-hour one-stop shop for rape survivors offering all services including police reporting, district surgeon, counselors and free-anti-retrovirals under one roof.
Rape Crisis centers provide counseling and pre-trial consultations free of charge.
Their offices are:
- Observatory: Tel: 447 9762 and after hours 083 637 0214
- Khayelitsha: Tel: 361 9085
- Heideveld: Tel: 633 9229 and after hours 072 206 2151
WHERE ARE THE RAPE CENTRES IN CAPE METRO?
At present there are 7 sites in the Cape Metro. These seven have doctors and have PEP’s and pregnancy tests available. The evening sites are 24 hours.
***All clinics should have PEP’s.
The sites are as follows:
- GF Jooste Hospital – Thutuzela Centre
- Victoria Hospital (5pm-8am)
- Lady Michaelis Hospital (day) – This site will change to Victoria only in one month
- Karl Bremer Hospital (5pm-8am)
- Goodwood Day Hospital (day)
- Somerset Hospital (5pm-8am)
- Robbie Nurock (day)
OTHER HOSPITAL SITES OFFERING ASSISTANCE
- Hottentots Holland Hospital
- Westfleur Hospital
- False Bay Hospital
****In the database SEARCH under category RAPE and the AREA you are in. If nothing comes up in that area please search under All Areas.
