24 HOUR CRISIS LINE: 083 484 9409  
Tel: 021 852 5620 • Fax: 086 519 4358   
Email: help@crisiscentre.org.za  
Helderberg Hospital • Lourensford Road • Somerset West  
Western Cape • South Africa • 7129  
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OUR CENTRE TURNED 12!
 

Rape Crisis celebrated the Crisis Centre turning twelve on 14 August 2009!

Supporters had a wonderful evening on Friday thanks to Touareg Tents, Downings Hiring and all the other donations big and small. Sixteen years ago victims of rape in the Helderberg area, had to undergo another immediate ordeal once they reported the rape case to the police. While severely traumatised, they had to wait for hours with all the other people in the hospital casualty waiting room before a doctor could attend to them. At times the perpetrator would be caught and also waiting in the hospital casualty for evidence to be taken.Often the victim would be in minimal or wet clothing, or had not eaten for a long time.And often the victim waited alone. Since 1993 survivors could find help 24-hours a day all year round through the Rape Crisis workers.On 14 August 1997 the Rape Crisis Centre was opened by the police, Rape Crisis, PATCH, the community and the Helderberg Hospital to alleviate this situation. Since then a trained volunteer receives the rape survivor at the Crisis Centre 24-hours a day and over a cup of coffee, in a relaxed and non-threatening atmosphere, receives immediate counselling and support including post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), food and clean clothing.
12 BIRTHDAY DONATIONS

A BIG BIG THANK YOU to the businesses who made it possible for us to have the 12th Birthday celebrations for our Crisis Centre:

Touareg Tents
Downings Marquee's
Downings Hiring Supplies
Breach
Ronel Pompe Photography
Another Green
Pick 'n Pay Somerset West
Kami Florist
The Daisy Shop
And all the helping hands, kind and special people that made this all possible!
THANK YOU.

 
 
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After being raped, even if you do not open a case please:

  • Get evidence collected within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours (the police will take you to the rape crisis centre or hospital)
  • Get anti-retrovirals & emergency contraception within 72 hours (anti-retrovirals are free to rape victims at government hospitals)
  • Get antibiotic medication to prevent other sexually transmitted infections
  • Get counselling from a person trained in rape trauma counselling - it is never too late

You can get all of the above free at our office at Helderberg Hospital, Somerset West

Call 083 484 9409 (24 hours a day) or 021-852 5620 (office hours) or write to help@crisiscentre.org.za.

You do not have to go through this alone.

RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME is a recognised response to rape and sexual abuse and it includes a variety of problems including various long-term consequences, the symptoms are similar to Post Traumatic Stress. Although many rape survivors suffer from the symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome, not all survivors respond to rape in the same way. It is important to treat each rape survivor as an individual and to try and understand what the rape means to that particular person. Coping with being raped may also be more difficult if family, friends and colleagues are not supportive and/or blame the survivor. After the shock has passed, some survivors try to act as if nothing has happened. This is their way of trying to block out the rape, because they feel that they won't be able to cope if they let themselves remember what happened to them. However, if a rape survivor is going to recover well from the impact of a rape, s/he must let her/himself remember the rape and feel whatever s/he is feeling inside. When s/he does start remembering and feeling, s/he will also start suffering from symptoms, but these usually improve gradually over time. It often helps a survivor to have counselling if s/he is experiencing symptoms that upset her/him. The effects of rape are long term. Rape survivors never forget being raped, but many learn how to deal with the memory. Studies have shown that the symptoms suffered by a rape survivor three months after a rape usually continue over the next three to four years, although they do seem to improve over time. Sadly South Africa holds the for the highest rapes world-wide. Interpol estimates that over 1 million women are raped each year in South Africa.
We want to help you to "PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER AGAIN".