TLAC: Winter Seminar Series

Seminar 1: What are effective models for providing medico-legal and health care services to rape survivors?

In the aftermath of rape, attention must be paid to rape survivors’ physical and mental health, as well as the gathering of evidence for prosecution purposes. Over the years a number of different models of one-stop services have been implemented in an attempt to meet these different needs as well as prevent further distress and inconvenience to rape survivors.

Please join us for a lively and critical discussion exploring what’s working and what’s not in relation to these various models.

Speakers include:

• Advocate Brandon Lawrence of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit discussing the Thuthuzela Care Centre model;
• Dr Thutho Nkobi who has spent some 15 years providing health care services to rape survivors; and
• Lisa Vetten, Tshwaranang Senior Researcher and policy analyst

Tshwaranang Policy Brief 2: From Paper to Practice: Lessons in the implementation of health and victim empowerment policy applicable to rape survivors, which reports on the Refentse project tested at a rural hospital in Mpumalanga, will also be released.

Time: 10h30 – 12h00

The Winter Seminar Series aims to create an opportunity for mid-year reflection on policy and practice intended to address gender-based violence. Other topics in the series include:

1 July 2009: How can we ensure that the HIV & AIDS National Strategic Plan fulfils its objectives on gender-based violence?

Plus launch of Policy Brief: Domestic violence, health and HIV: A review on progress made in addressing domestic violence through the HIV & AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan 2007 – 2011

15 July 2009: Violence against sex workers: how do we respond to this abuse of power by the police?

5 August 2009: 10 years of the Domestic Violence Act – Are we paying attention to its long-standing implementation problems?

Plus launch of Research Brief: Implementing the Domestic Violence Act in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga

19 August 2009: From paralegals, counsellors and VEP volunteers to victim advocates – How can we create more proactive services to support victims of gender-based violence?

Plus launch of Research Brief: “I have a Problem”: Women’s help-seeking in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga

Please RSVP to Towera Sichinga for Seminar 1 by 14th June at:
Tel: 011 403 4267
Fax: 011 403 4275
Email: towera@tlac.org.za.