Crisis Centre (Tshwane Medical Legal Centre)

Government-run forensic care centre (FCC) for survivors of sexual violence and GBV, situated at Tshwane District Hospital — a designated state hospital on the Prinshof medical campus in Pretoria. Provides forensic medical examination, evidence collection (J88 and sexual assault kit), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV), STI treatment, counselling, police case support, and court preparation. the primary government forensic care facility for sexual violence survivors in the Tshwane metropolitan area. Located on Pretoria's Prinshof medical campus, which houses the Tshwane Rehabilitation Centre, the University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory, Tshwane District Hospital's forensic care centre serves a catchment area of over 400,000 people and handles several hundred sexual violence cases per month. Survivors can present directly at the hospital's Casualty Department at any hour of the day or night — staff will direct them to the relevant unit. Services are free, provided by a multi-disciplinary clinical forensic team, and include: a full forensic medical examination conducted by a trained nurse or doctor; collection of specimens and sexual assault kit evidence; completion of the J88 form for use in criminal proceedings; PEP medication to prevent HIV (must begin within 72 hours of assault); treatment for STIs and other injuries; counselling support; and assistance with opening a police case and accessing a social worker referral. Survivors are not required to open a case before receiving medical care — medical attention comes first. Court preparation and long-term counselling referrals are arranged as follow-up. The Tshwane area also has Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) at nearby hospitals for a more integrated one-stop experience; if you are unsure which facility is closest or most appropriate, call the GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428, toll-free, 24/7) for guidance. **Do not bathe, change clothing, or wash before presenting — forensic evidence may be lost.**

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What Happens When You Arrive

Any time of day or night, a survivor can go directly to the Tshwane District Hospital Casualty Department and say they have been sexually assaulted or raped. They do not need a police case number or any documentation. They do not need medical aid. Staff will receive them and direct them to the forensic care team.

Critically: survivors should not bathe, shower, change their clothes, brush their teeth, eat, drink, or urinate before arrival if at all possible. Forensic evidence — DNA, fibres, substances — can be lost in any of these actions. Clinical staff are trained to explain and support this process with care; the examination does not have to be distressing or clinical in feeling.

Services Provided

Forensic medical examination: conducted by a trained doctor or forensic nurse. History is taken, physical assessment performed, and injuries documented. The examination is explained step by step, and survivors sign a consent form. A nurse remains present throughout.

J88 form: the official Department of Justice document recording injuries for use in criminal proceedings. Completed by the examining clinician.

Sexual assault kit (SAK): biological specimens and physical evidence are collected, labelled, and submitted to the police laboratory for forensic analysis.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): medication to prevent HIV transmission after exposure. Must be commenced within 72 hours of assault. This is provided free at the hospital; it is a 28-day course.

STI treatment and emergency contraception: prescribed as appropriate.

Counselling: on-site psychological support is provided by nurses and social workers, with referral letters and follow-up counselling appointments arranged at discharge.

Police liaison: an investigating officer or SAPS member can take a statement at the hospital. Survivors are not required to open a case in order to receive medical care — the decision to open a case can be made at any time, including later.

Court preparation: if a case proceeds, court preparation support is available through the NPA's Thuthuzela Care Centre and victim support units at the Tshwane courts.

What to Know: Your Rights as a Survivor

You have the right to receive medical care and PEP regardless of whether you open a police case.
You have the right to a nurse present during the examination.
You have the right to a social worker referral and counselling.
You have the right to bath/shower facilities after the examination.
Services are free — no medical aid required.

Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) in the Tshwane Area

The NPA's Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) offer a broader one-stop model: forensic care, counselling, police case opening, social work, and specialist prosecution support in a single facility. TCCs are located at designated hospitals throughout Gauteng. For the TCC closest to your location in Tshwane, call the GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428) or visit gov.za/TCC.

Tshwane District Hospital Crisis Centre (Medical Legal Centre / FCC): 6 Dr Savage Road (cnr Steve Biko Road), Prinshof, Pretoria, 0084. Hospital: 012 354 5958. Casualty: 24 hours. Free. Forensic exam, J88, SAK, PEP, STI treatment, counselling, police liaison. Do not bathe or change clothes before presenting. GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 (24/7, toll-free).