Paarl doctors get specialised training
2009-04-09
A GROUP of doctors from Paarl and Paarl East received specialised training in the forensic medical examination of sexual abuse victims this past weekend. This training was made possible by Matla A Bana, an NGO established to minimise the secondary abuse that child victims suffer when they report crime. Matla A Bana works very closely with the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit and the Casualty Department of Paarl Hospital. Dr Jacobus Louw, head of the casualty department at Paarl Hospital, identified the need for specialist training for medical doctors. Like the police, the doctors working in the casualty departments, are exposed to severe trauma, especially with child rape and abuse cases. It is often expected of them to establish a relationship with a child, gain the trust of that child and do an extremely traumatic medical examination of the rape victim – all of this within ten minutes. It is therefore essential that they need to be aware of what they are looking for, how to identify sexual abuse wounds and ensure minimum trauma to the child. The casualty unit at Paarl Hospital sees up to 13 rape cases on a weekend. Included in this training group were senior members of the SAPS FCS Units from Cape Town. The course was presented by one of South Africa’s top forensic experts, Dr Tromp Els, as well as Adv Mark Kenny of the National Prosecuting Authority who assisted with the legal aspects of reporting crimes. This is only one of the various initiatives MAB is currently busy within Paarl. The congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church in Courtrai is assisting the NGO by creating a victim-friendly waiting and examination area in the hospital’s casualty department. Church minister Pieter Barnard is also assisting the police on a provincial level, by hosting a Strength Based Leadership course for seven of the top managers of SAPS WC. Looking forward, the NGO hopes to assist with establishing a one-stop centre close to Paarl Hospital, which will include private waiting areas, dedicated medical staff to conduct examinations and follow-ups, and facilities for the Child Protection Unit and NPA. Matla A Bana (a voice against child abuse, with offices in Gauteng and the Western Cape) was founded by ex-hostage, Monique Strydom, after two severe baby rapes in 2002.
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