Centre for Assault Recovery of Eldoret (CAR-E)
Moi Teaching and
Referral Hospital (MTRH) in conjunction with other partners
(AMPATH, Kenya Police, German Development Cooperation - DED and
GTZ, and the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret) has established the
Centre for Assault Recovery of Eldoret, which caters for survivors
of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The Centre was
established in May 2007 after it was noted that there was an
increase in the number of survivors of SGBV presenting at the
Accident and Emergency department. Its mission is to provide
a safe, kind and respectful environment for the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of sexual and gender based violence.
Sexual violence
Any sexual act,
attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or
advances, or acts to traffic women's sexuality, using coercion,
threats of harm or physical force, by any person regardless of
relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not
limited to home and work. This includes psychological pressure,
blackmail, as well as physical violence. Forms of sexual
violence seen at CAR-E include rape, sexual assault, sexual
harassment, gang rape, defilement (rape of a child less than 18
years old), attempted rape/defilement/assault, incest, and
knowingly transmitting HIV/AIDS or other STIs.
Gender Violence
Any harm that is perpetrated against a person's will and that has a negative impact on physical or psychological health, development and identity of the person. This may be sexual, psychological, economic and socio-cultural.
Services Provided at CAR-E (all services provided at the centre are free of charge)
- The centre provides both inpatient and outpatient services 24 hours daily.
- The medical officer and nurse on duty carry out an evaluation of the survivor which includes history taking, monitoring vital signs and initial counseling.
- An examination is then carried out and forensic evidence is collected for analysis. Testing for pregnancy and diseases is performed, and the survivor is given appropriate treatment. Survivors are observed in the ward until stable.
- The survivor then undergoes psychological counseling.
- The centre offers temporary shelter for vulnerable survivors.
- The survivor then records a statement at the Police Station, is given a form which is filled out by the CAR-E medical officer and returned to the Police for legal action against the perpetrator.
- The survivor is referred to LACE, which offers free legal advice.
- CAR-E does follow-up for up to six months after the survivor is physically and psychologically well to be discharged from the unit. This follow-up includes home visits to the survivors' homes.
- CAR-E has been active in SGBV response and prevention by creating awareness through the media. The centre also visits schools, and the public to sensitize the public on prevention of SGBV.