Highlighting mental care for SGBV victims

THE Sexual Violence Research Initiative conference in Cape Town this week saw over 5 000 researchers from 65 countries convene to discuss ways to mitigate the impact of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Doctors Without Borders presented the findings of its study into the lack of provision of mental health care to victims of sexual violence, as it has been providing medical, psychological and social care to victims of SGBV since 2015.

The study looked at medical and forensic care for survivors of sexual violence in South Africa.

Some of its key findings were that 20.5% of facilities did not offer minimum mental health service through trauma counselling of victims of sexual violence, 45% of facilities offered no counselling services for children and 39% of facilities did no risk assessment for suicidality.

“Bridget”, a SGBV survivor, said: “After my rape, I was thinking about suicide. I felt useless. I told myself these people destroyed me in and out; maybe if I go, my gran will take care of my kids.

“But since I’ve come to Letlhlabile KCC for counselling, everything’s changed. I go to work every day. I smile with people, although it’s hard when I think about it. It’s very traumatising.”

MSF said sexual and genderbased violence had been largely associated with a high prevalence of mental health consequences such as psychological distress and disorders including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, suicidality and substance abuse, as well as social consequences such as social exclusion.

“MSF conducted a telephonic mapping of 265 designated public health facilities in September and October 2018 with the objective of assessing whether these facilities in South Africa have the capacity to provide comprehensive mental health services for survivors of sexual violence.

“Out of the 265 designated facilities identified nationally by the Gaps Analysis Survey, 70.5% (187) were reached telephonically, 72% (135) of facilities reached participated in the survey – 14% (39) were unreachable after five follow-up calls, 14% (39) delayed responding after five follow-up calls, and 28% (52) of facilities declined to participate.”