This one-stop facility is part of South Africa's anti-rape strategy and has been providing services to local victims of rape since 2009. In George, between 40 and 50 persons make use of the George TCC each month and their ages range from 2 to 65.
According to Nadia Ferreira, Principal Communications Officer for the Western Cape Health department in the Eden District, "Of the R1,2-million R753 000 was donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). George hospital received a further generous donation of R6 000 from the Southern Cape Old Car Club. This money will be used to further improve the environment and provide support for rape victims visiting the centre. Initiatives like these show how business and government can be Better Together."
Services provided at the TCC includes an examination by a doctor, the opportunity to give a statement to an investigating officer, and court preparation by a victim assistant officer within a safe and secure environment 24 hours a day. Ferreira added, "We appeal to all clients to make use of these first-class and easily accessible services for better results and justice."
Thuthuzela, the Xhosa word for "comfort," is what the TCC aims to provide to their clients. Virginia Francis, the project director from the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative highlighted the fact that these centres provide a space, dignity and ambience that shows that the system cares about rape victims.
Francis added that although George's Thuthuzela Centre might be one of the smallest, it is one of the best where location is concerned, due to its proximity and access to health care. This means that the waiting time for clients requiring attention and medication is greatly reduced. Francis' organisation implements TCC centres and facilitates collaboration between its various roleplayers, i.e. National Prosecuting Authority, SAPS, Western Cape Government Health and Department of Social Development.
Advocate Lizelle Africa, a TCC provincial manager in the Western Cape, shared her satisfaction with the facilities in George which includes a reception area, counselling room and examination area. Africa described the importance of, for example, a shower in the examination room which can be used after a person is seen by the doctor and before they leave the TCC.
George TCC is one of five in the Western Cape (the others are located in Worcester, Khayalitsha, Karl Bremer in Belville, and Manenberg).
There is a total of 52 in South Africa with 23 of these being new additions.
Centre locations are decided upon by various factors including statistics of reported rape cases, accessibility to health care and transport availability.
Rape victims do not have to be referred to a TCC from a police station but can go directly to a TCC site which is manned 24 hours a day seven days a week. After hours, i.e. between 16:00 and 08:00, a TCC Protocol is in place which means that local NGOs and the Department of Social Development man these secure centres.
An official opening for the centre will be held later this year.
Anyone desiring to make donations such as underwear (all sizes), sanitary towels, clothing, shoes, instant snacks (e.g. soup, mini cheddars or 2 minute noodles), blankets, toys, story books, children's DVDs, coffee, tea, sugar and powdered milk, mugs and porridge bowls, plastic spoons, colouring books or crayons/pencils can contact Sister Visser at 044 802 4478 or 044 802 4561.
Members of the multi-disciplinary team who participated in the site visit of the new Thuthuzela Care Centre location in George. Photo: LeeAnne Pratt
