About the project

In South Africa, one-third of women and girls aged 15 years and older have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence. Despite its prevalence, intimate partner violence is often not well understood or routinely screened for in healthcare settings. Recognizing this critical gap, Groote Schuur Hospital Trust (GSHT) has implemented a comprehensive GBV screening intervention.

During the pilot phase in November 2022, which coincided with the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we screened all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, resulting in 305 women screened and 10% referred for support. This intervention expanded in June 2023 to include maternity, gynaecology, and emergency/trauma services. To date, almost 12,000 women have been screened, with 13.5% experiencing violence. Of these, 40% opted for onsite counselling, and 50% of those survivors have been referred to external NGO partners for continued support. The program has also trained almost 500 healthcare workers in GBV detection and referral, significantly enhancing their ability to provide compassionate and effective support to those in need.

Help us continue this critical service by donating today – and allowing the Screening Intervention to scale to our GSH catchment area healthcare facilities- where GBV is rife and where so many of our patients need support.