What happens next

What you can do if you have experienced GBV

thuthuzela care centres

Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC): justice and support for survivors

The Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) are situated at select government hospitals all over South Africa. The centres are one-stop facilities that have been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation, improve conviction rates and reduce the cycle time for finalisation of cases.

The TCC is linked to a magistrate’s court (ideally a dedicated sexual offence court, near the centre). This court has prosecutors skilled in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) matters, judiciary, court interpreters, social workers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as court preparation officers.

01

Get to a safe place and report the incident

Sexual and gender-based violence (including rape) can be reported at a Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) or at any SAPS police station.

02

Receive immediate medical care

If you report to the TCC, staff will assist in getting you immediate medico-legal attention at the centre:

  • An explanation will be given of how the medical examination will be conducted and what clothing might be taken for evidence.
  • You will be given a consent form to sign that allows the doctor to conduct the medical examination.
  • After the medical examination, there are bath or shower facilities for the survivor to use, and clothes are provided for you to change into (if yours are taken as evidence).
  • A nurse arranges for follow-up visits, treatment and medication for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS.

03

Access emotional and psychological support

TCC staff will provide emotional support or refer you to specialised psychological services.

04

Open a police case

TCC staff will assist you to report the case to a police official. Matters can be reported immediately or at a later stage. An investigation officer will interview the survivor and take his/her statement.

05

Ongoing counselling and care

TCC staff will arrange for on-going counselling. A referral letter or appointment will be made for long-term counselling.

06

Court support and case updates

The survivor will be informed of court proceedings through a victim assistant officer. Where the matter proceeds to trial, a court preparation officer will provide the survivor with the necessary court preparation.

  • Prosecutors (Case Managers) who are appointed to a specific TCC as specialists in sexual offences and gender-based violence, will track, monitor and guide the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases.
  • An explanation of the outcome and update of the trial process will be given to the survivor by the police officer managing the case.
  • The aforementioned process commences with the reporting of the case until the matter is finalised within a court environment.

07

Safe transport and protection

Step 7: The survivor is offered transportation home by an ambulance or the investigating officer. Arrangements can be made for the survivor to go to a place of safety, if necessary.

What can happen at a Thuthuzela Care Centre?

The aim is to provide holistic support to survivors of SGBV. Once there, a survivor will receive aid from trained medical, legal and mental health practitioners. The process is designed with care to operate at a level that protects the dignity and integrity of those affected. Processes are carefully explained, and the survivor makes decisions based on their needs.

Where are the Thuthuzela Care Centres?

Thuthuzela Care Centres are located across South Africa, mainly at public hospitals and selected community health facilities in all provinces. They operate as one-stop centres providing medical care, counselling, and legal support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

  1. Bizana TCC, St Patricks Bizana
  2. Butterworth TCC, Butterworth Hospital
  3. Dora Nginza TCC, Dora Nginza Hospital
  4. Grey Hospital TCC
  5. Libode TCC, St Barnabas Hospital
  6. Lusikisiki TCC, St Elizabeth Hospital
  7. Mdantsane TCC, C/O Casualty Dept, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital
  8. Mthatha TCC, Mthatha General
  9. Taylor Bequest TCC, Taylor Bequest Hospital
  1. Bongani TCC, Bongani Hospital, Health Complex
  2. Metsimaholo TCC, Metsimaholo District Hospital
  3. Phekolong TCC, Phekolong Hospital
  4. Tshepong TCC, National District Hospital
  1. Baragwanath/Nthabiseng TCC, Chris Hani Bara Hospital
  2. Kopanong TCC, Kopanong Hospital
  3. Mamelodi TCC, Mamelodi Day Hospital
  4. Lenasia TCC, Lenasia Hospital
  5. Laudium TCC, Laudium Hospital & Community Health Centre
  6. Masakhane TCC, Tembisa Hospital
  7. Sinakekelwe TCC, Natalspruit Hospital
  1. Edendale TCC, Edendale Hospital
  2. Madadeni TCC, Madadeni Hospital
  3. Empangeni TCC, Ngwelezana Hospital
  4. Port Shepstone TCC, Port Shepstone Regional Hospital
  5. Umlazi TCC, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital (Ward C4)
  6. Phoenix TCC, Mahatma Ghandi Memorial Hospital
  7. RK Khan TCC, RK Khan Hospital
  8. Stanger TCC, Stanger Provincial Hospital
  1. Mankweng TCC, Mankweng Hospital
  2. Mokopane TCC, Mokopane Hospital
  3. Musina TCC, Musina Hospital
  4. Nkhensani TCC, Nkhensani Hospital
  5. Seshego TCC, Seshego Hospital
  6. Tshilidzini TCC, Tshilidzini Hospital
  7. Groblersdal TCC, Groblersdal Hospital
  1. Ermelo TCC, Ermelo Hospital
  2. Themba TCC, Themba Hospital
  3. Tonga TCC, Tonga Hospital (stand 1213)
  4. Emalahleni TCC, Witbank Provincial Hospital
  1. De Aar TCC, Central Karoo Hospital, De Aar Casualty Department
  2. Galeshewe TCC, Galeshewe Day Hospital
  3. Kuruman TCC, Kuruman Hospital
  4. Springbok TCC, Van Niekerk Hospital (Springbok Hospital), HIV/AIDS Counselling Unit
  1. Job Shimankane Tabane TCC, Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital (Admin Block)
  2. Klerksdorp TCC, Tshepong Hospital
  3. Mafikeng TCC, Mafikeng Provincial Hospital
  4. Potchefstroom TCC, Potchefstroom Hospital
  5. Taung TCC, Taung District Hospital
  1. George TCC, George Provincial Hospital
  2. Karl Bremer TCC, Karl Bremer Hospital (M5 Clinical Forensics & Rape Care Management Centre)
  3. Khayelitsha TCC, Khayelitsha Community Health Centre
  4. (Manenberg) Heideveld TCC, Heideveld Community Health Centre
  5. Westfleur TCC (Atlantis TCC), Wesfleur Hospital
  6. Worcester TCC, Worcester Hospital
PhonesCall

South Africa

0800 150 150

PhonesCall

Swaziland

+27 0800 150 150

PhonesCall

Namibia

106

PhonesCall

Botswana

0391 1270

Send a message
24 7 support
Envelope CVP
Help is available 24/7

Please call or WhatsApp our helpline. Together we can end gender-based violence in our communities.