Services for Sexual Assault Survivors

Health Services Provided

Features of Service or Facility Management

Training

Core Services  for Sexual Assault                 (for all settings)

1.    Post-sexual assault pregnancy prevention and accessible, safe termination of pregnancy services [where legal]

2.    Treatment of sexually transmitted infections

3.    Treatment of genital or other injuries

4.    A report of the genital examination, where required, for legal purposes

5.    Basic information on treatments to victims/ survivors

1.    All facilities have clinical management guidelines and the country’s sexual assault policy

2.    All facilities have a fully enclosed room for providing care to victim/survivors in privacy

3.    Service providers have an understanding of the need to provide care in a manner that is confidential, sympathetic and non-judgmental and provides victim/survivors with information about their treatment, law on rape and how to access police and legal services.

4.    Services are provided at no cost to the victim/survivor 

1.    All institutions training doctors and nurses include a module on understanding of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, the clinical management guidelines and policy as part of their basic curriculum

Mid-level Services

for low to middle income countries

(in addition to the core):

1.    Prophylaxis against HIV infection where relevant for the country/[local] risk level

2.    A thorough examination of the victim/survivor, with  documentation of findings and  collection of specimens for DNA testing according to a standard policy and evidence kit

3.    Written or pictorial information to victims/survivors on treatment, rape and the law and accessing counselling and support

1.    Health service providers providing care for victim/survivors identified for most of the country

2.    Health facilities have policies that ensure care is provided sensitively, including having private waiting areas

3.    Health services are co-ordinated, managed and staff trained and supervised by an identified senior clinician

4.    Inter-sectoral collaboration is established at a facility level

5.    Forensic laboratories are available to support analysis of specimens collected

1.    Identified health service providers are given in-service training to update their clinical management and understanding of the needs of victim/survivors

Comprehensive Services

for middle and high income countries

(in addition to the core and mid-level):

1.    Comprehensive health services as outlined in the WHO’s Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence (2003).

1.    All services are provided by designated health service providers who are highly motivated, trained and continuously updated through on-going training

2.    All services are provided in facilities which are equipped to be conducive to sexual assault examinations

3.    People reporting sexual assault are transported to these facilities by the health service or the police (if they have been involved)

4.    All people are offered sexual assault care without having to report cases to the police

5.    Good inter-sectoral links with the preparation of victims for court testimony and advocates who are available to partner and support  victim/survivors after sexual assault