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Short Summary |
In South Africa women and girls not only suffer
the trauma of sexual violence but face the trauma of potential HIV
infection. Risk of transmission however, is reduced if rape survivors
are promptly given antiretroviral drugs (called in this case 'post-exposure
prophylaxis' [PEP]). In 2002 the South African government took the
significant step of pledging to provide PEPs to all rape survivors.
Yet there remain significant obstacles to accessing PEPs, particularly
for children (under 14) not covered by the guidelines and in rural
areas where PEPs are generally unavailable. The rape survivors themselves,
as well as the police, health professionals and counsellors working
with them, often lack basic information on PEPs. The revitalised national
HIV/AIDS programme (late 2003) renews commitments to provide PEPs
to all sexual violence survivors. Human Rights Watch recommend allocation
of significant resources to this, including funding for: the training
of police, social workers, teachers and health care providers; the
promised public education programme; and rape service centres in both
urban and rural areas. Other recommendations include the urgent drafting
of a national protocol by the Department of Health on PEP provision
for child sexual violence survivors.
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http://hrw.org/reports/2004/southafrica0304/index.htm
