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Leaving No One Behind Feasibility Case Study: Applying the “Breaking the Silence” Approach in Comprehensive Sexuality Education for Adolescents and Young People with Disabilities during the COVID-19 epidemic

Young people with disabilities have the same sexual and reproductive health needs and rights as their peers without disabilities. However, evidence in eastern and southern Africa shows that, compared to their peers, they are more vulnerable to HIV, unintended pregnancies, sexual violence and lack equal access to health care and information about their sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is an important factor for young people with disabilities and enables them to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights and disability policy analysis

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are integral for all people’s ability to realise their full human rights and health. Sexually transmitted diseases, sexual violence, unintended pregnancies and childbearing can profoundly alter a young person’s life, their health care needs, educational outcomes, economic opportunities and participation in society. Sexual and other forms of intimate partner violence are still deeply impacting the wellbeing of women in all their diversities.

Rape survivors need comprehensive, long-term health care and support to prevent HIV: Evidence from the Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation (RICE) study - Research Brief

Background

Rape is a gross violation of human rights and its consequences impact lives across South Africa. Women, girls, boys and non-binary persons are mostly the targets of rape. In the 2019-2020 reporting period, 42 289 rapes were reported to the South African Police Services. This amounts to 116 rapes per day1 but is not a true reflection, as most rapes perpetrated are not reported.

Stepping Stones

What is Stepping Stones?

Stepping Stones is a workshop series designed as a tool to help promote sexual health, improve psychological well-being and prevent IPV and HIV. The workshops address questions of gender, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, gender violence, communication and relationship skills. In doing so they recognise that our sexual lives are embedded in a broader context of our relationships with our  partners, families and the community or society in which we live.

National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence & Femicide

The Gender-based Violence and Femicide National Strategic Plan (GBVF-NSP) was produced by the Interim Steering Committee established in April 2019 to respond to the gender-based violence and femicide crisis following the historic 2018 Presidential Summit on this subject.

Medico-legal findings from examination of rape victims in South Africa

The National Directives and Instructions on Conducting a Forensic Examination on Survivors of Sexual Offence Cases in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2007, provide for standardized procedures for conducting forensic examination on sexual offence survivors in all health establishments (1). Together with the National Sexual Assault Policy and the National Management Guidelines for Sexual Assault Care (2), the Health Directives provide for a full range of comprehensive services for victims (1).

Attrition of rape matters at the prosecution stage of the South African criminal justice system

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act No. 32 of 2007(1) provides a legal framework for responding to sexual offences and an integrated response framework for victim-friendly service provision including the prescription of directives for the different actors within the criminal justice system. The National Prosecuting Authority has responsibility for witness preparation, prosecution of the offender and court-support referrals to health and social support services.

Attrition of rape matters at the police investigation stage of the South African criminal justice system

The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Instruction 3/2008: Sexual Offences contains guidelines for police to provide victim-friendly services to victims of sexual offences. Investigating Officers (IOs) in the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) have the responsibility for investigating cases and preparing the evidence for a trial.

Formative Research and Development of a Sexual Violence Prevention Intervention for South African Higher Education Institutions

Comprehensive literature reviews conducted to inform the development of the South African national policy framework to prevent and respond to sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) in the higher education sector found that there is a lack of rigorously tested and evaluated campus-based interventions in the country. Rigorously tested evidence-informed, campus-based interventions that combine sexuality, gender transformation and self-defense components currently do not exist in South Africa.

Rape Justice In South Africa: A Retrospective Study Of The Investigation, Prosecution And Adjudication Of Reported Rape Cases From 2012

Rape is a significant societal and public health problem in South Africa. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act No. 32 of 2007 provides a legal framework for responding to sexual offences and an integrated response framework for victim-friendly service provision including the prescription of directives for the different actors within the criminal justice system.

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