People living in the Western Division can now expect rapid response to sexual gender-based violence and child abuse cases after the opening of the new Medical Services Pacific, Post Rape Care Clinic in Lautoka.
MSP Country Director, Ashna Shaleen says this project will strengthen the existing protection system for vulnerable women and girls in partnership with the Fiji Police Force and the Department of Social Welfare.
Shaleen says they have a multi-sectorial team consisting of medical staff, a counsellor and a lawyer who are equipped to provide post-rape care services and sexual reproductive health services in the static clinic.
She says their Western Clinic will have a safe and private setting providing highly specialized care and treatment for survivors of sexual gender-based violence for both adults and children.
Shaleen says a sexual assault survivor will be offered full medical-forensics examination and psychosocial support.
She says the standard of care include clinical evaluation and documentation, clinical management, counselling and referral mechanisms.
Shaleen says this also includes initial assessment, medical history which is the account of the events described as sexual violence, top-to-toe physical examination, detailed genito-anal examination and collection of indicated medical specimens for diagnostic purposes.
She says they also have follow-up care, ongoing counselling and psychosocial support to manage trauma and legal support.
Shaleen says their staff will also represent as expert witnesses during court proceedings.
She says MSP’s multisectoral team in the three divisions will continue to provide post-exposure prophylaxis, physical examination, sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy prevention services.
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