To celebrate Women’s Month, 50 trainee doctors at Groote Schuur Hospital completed specialized training, mastering the skills of accurately screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and using rape evidence kits.
These new members join hundreds of doctors, nurses, clerical staff, and even cleaners at Groote Schuur and Mitchels Plain Hospitals who have already received similar training, working together to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors of violence.
This achievement is made possible by the ongoing support of the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, which helps the facility become a safe and supportive entry point for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence.
The Partner Violence Intervention Program, launched in 2022, aims to achieve early identification and intervention through routine screening conducted by specially trained nurses. To date, nearly 30,000 women have been screened at Groote Schuur and Mitchels Plain Hospitals.
The program provides a critical opportunity to identify and support women experiencing abuse, many of whom seek medical help before publicly disclosing the abuse. Early intervention is a critical first step in ensuring their safety and recovery. Specific measures include:
Patients are screened using a simple, seven-question digital questionnaire;
Patients who screen positive receive immediate on-site counseling or can opt for support information at a later time;
Healthcare providers can refer suspected cases to on-site GBV social workers;
If necessary, patients can be referred to external agencies such as the police, shelters, and legal aid;
Follow-up visits are conducted two to three weeks after the initial consultation.
The project also focuses on strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals within the health system, through IPV and trauma-informed care training, combined with awareness education for staff and patients, to enhance the overall response to gender-based violence.
Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, praised the program, noting that partner violence and gender-based violence have a devastating impact on women and their families and are often accompanied by feelings of isolation. She emphasized that healthcare facilities, given their unique position, must serve as safe havens for survivors.
The program provides healthcare providers and patients with the necessary tools and knowledge to help women overcome the trauma of violence. To date, over 1,200 women have received counseling following screening, and 418 have been referred to external support agencies.
Following the success of the two hospitals, Groote Schuur Hospital Trust is planning to expand this intervention to more health facilities across the province, initially targeting the Hydeveld Community Health Centre, which will launch later this year.
“Women who come into our hospitals every day are not only ill but often also struggling with violence,” said Christie Evans, Executive Director of Groote Schuur Hospital Trust.
This intervention has provided them with a sense of safety and care, and has transformed the way healthcare professionals work. We hope that with the help of our partners, more women will receive this support.”
Minister Wenger concluded, “By working together to raise awareness and ensure everyone in the healthcare system is equipped to identify and respond, the scourge of gender-based violence can be effectively curbed.
Healthcare is not just about treating illnesses; it’s about saving lives. Hospitals have an irreplaceable role in breaking the cycle of violence.”
