THUTHUZELA CARE CENTRE LAUNCH IN KOMANI
The National Prosecuting Authority invites members of the media to the launch of the Komani Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), at Frontier Hospital in Komani. TCCs are one-stop centres that are internationally recognized as best practice in the provision of pre-trial services for victims of GBV, aimed at reducing secondary victimisation, improving conviction rates, as well as reducing the cycle time for the finalisation of cases.
TCCs are led by the NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) unit and provide psycho-social support, medical treatment, and legal services on-site for victims of sexual offences and gender-based violence (GBV). TCCs are located within public hospitals based in communities where the incidents of rape are particularly high.
The process of reporting a GBV and/or sexual offence commences with the victim being removed from the public environment to the privacy and victim friendly TCC. At the TCC the survivor receives immediate trauma containment and is informed of the process that will unfold. A medical examination will then be conducted by trained medical professionals. Where a medical examination is conducted within 72 hours of the sexual offence taking place, the victims will be provided with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Further psychosocial support is rendered to the victim and where needed referrals are made for shelter services. TCCs also ensure that victims access legal services, through the case manager who conducts prosecutor guided investigations.
At the heart of the success TCCs is the NPA led multi-disciplinary team comprising of the NPA, DOH, DSD, SAPS and NGOs that ensure comprehensive services to all victims of GBV under one roof.
The NPA is proud to add Komani TCC to the existing stable of 11 TCCs in the EC at:
Butterworth
Bizana
Cradock
Gqeberha
King Williams Town
Libode
Lusikisiki
Matatiele
Mdantsane
Mthatha
The launch ties in with the 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children, which started on the 25 of November 2022, Wednesday, 7 December 2022 at 11h00 -14h00 in Frontier Hospital, Corner Kingsway &, Livingstone St, Komani, 5320
