HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HELP ABUSE WOMEN IN FESTIVE SEASON

Issued by: Department of Health

INITIATIVES FOR ABUSED WOMEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Pretoria - Traditionally South Africans regard the Christmas season as a period of peace, rest and merrymaking, but for thousands of women, this is the period when they will be most at risk of being battered or sexually assaulted, according to organisations monitoring violence against women nationally.

However this season, women seeking help could expect better management of their crisis at the hands of health authorities, the Martenal Child & and Women's Health Director of the Department of Health. A plan of action, initiated by the Department of Health, in collaboration with other governmental departments is in place to extend mental health support services to victims of violence and sexual abuse.

The plan includes improved data collection, integrated services for victims, development of referral facilities and prevention programmes. "Women are (usually) advised to report to the police. All evidence can be collected at the health institution at the time of treatment", says Dr Eddie Mhlanga, Director of Martenal Child & Women's Health. Dr Mhlanga says Department of Health, often the first point of contact for abused women, has more responsibility in seeing that:

• Evidence is properly collected and recorded.
• Emotional support is provided to the survivor of the abuse.
• Appropriate treatment is provided in order to help heal the physical trauma.
• In case of homicide, enough evidence is collected so that perpetrators are duly prosecuted.

Initiatives adopted by the Department of Health to provide integrated services, or a one-stop-shop for victims of violence and sexual abuse include:

• Collaboration with Department of Justice in providing emergency kits for hospitals.
• Education of health workers to be more sensitive to the needs of abused women.
• District medical officers must still be re-oriented to humane and dignified ways of handling victims of abuse.
• The treatment, preventatively (prophylactically), for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy in cases of sexual abuse. Emergency contraception is promoted in the interest or prevention of pregnancy.

For further information you can contact Dr E Mhlanga: Fax Number: 012 312 0213