Sexual Abuse Victim Empowerment

SAVE assists its clients in the following way: Firstly, intellectually disabled complainants are refered to SAVE by district courts in the Western Cape for assessment. These complainants generally are, for the most part, female and under the age of 18. SAVE’s 4 clinical psychologists then provide psychological assessments of a complainant’s level of functioning, competence to act as a witness, and ability to consent to sexual intercourse and, if necessary, provide expert witness in court. Meanwhile a team of 16 social workers provide court preparation, counselling, and ongoing support to the victims and their families. SAVE also provide training to public prosecutors and police officers in appropriate interviewing skills and because of the need for this service, SAVE also trains other professionals nationally.  SAVE functions primarily in the Greater Cape Town area and during its first ten years assessed 100 complainants and now average 77 a year at a cost of about R3,000 per complainant or R227,000 for 2006/2007. Although SAPS and the DoJ will not pursue an intellectually disabled sexual abuse case without an assessment provided by SAVE, they do not have the funding to support SAVE activities. SAVE is entirely funded from donor support, including but not limited to the Community Chest, the David Graaff Foundation, Themba Lesizwe, the Foundation for Human Rights, Mama Cash, Knysna Marathon, and various individuals and trusts.

Innovation

SAVE’s work of empowering intellectually disabled survivors of sexual abuse is unique in South Africa. The model of assessments and use of expert witnesses has great potential to influence judicial proceedings.

Effectiveness

The current conviction rate of SAVE assessed complainants is 25% and thus matches the conviction rate of sexual abuse cases for the general population. 77 assessments are done annually with an unfortunate backlog of 6 months. Yet before the introduction of SAVE only one or two cases were being heard every year.  This achievement has been done on a budget of only R227,159 per year, and based entirely on donor funds. Without SAVE, no cases involving intellectually disabled sexual abuse would be considered in the Western Cape.

Poverty Impact

Services are delivered free of charge, especially to poor intellectually disabled people denied this service routinely in clinics.

Sustainability

SAVE is entirely dependent on donor support.  It has a staff of 16 social workers and 5 clinical psychologists who are able to assess complainants at a cost of R3000 each but more funding could help reduce the backlog.

Replication

Given the scope of sexual abuse in South Africa, there is clearly a need for SAVE to be replicated. SAVE has already begun to work on training other psychologists and university academics but replication would depend on more sustainable and consistent funding.

Partnerships

• SAPS
• Department of Justice
• National Prosecuting Authority
• Community Chest
• The David Graaff Foundation
• Themba Lesizwe
• The Foundation for Human Rights
• Mama Cash
• Knysna Marathon