Rape victims should be encouraged to apply for compulsory HIV testing of alleged rapists, the minister of for women, children and persons with disabilities said on Sunday.
"Rape survivors should fully utilise the provisions of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act. Survivors have a right to request compulsory HIV testing of an alleged offender," said Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.
"We have to ensure that survivors know about this provision and are able to utilise it," said Mayende-Sibiya, at an event to mark 16 Days of Activism Campaign on No Violence against Women and Children in Durban.
Mayende-Sibiya said there was a great need to acknowledge the link between violence and the spread of HIV infection in South Africa as the country builds up to the World Aids Day on Tuesday.
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She further said her ministry would ensure that victim empowerment interventions are well coordinated and accessible.
These interventions include prevention of cases of abuse, encouraging reporting, ensuring that perpetrators are prosecuted and that there is support for survivors to deal with the trauma. - Sapa
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