Enhancing access to post-rape care for child survivors in the context of police and health services in Zambia: A feasibility assessment of a police response model

Abstract

This study builds on previous interventions by the Population Council and the Zambia Police Service to mitigate unintended pregnancy and HIV among survivors of sexual violence by involving trained police in task-sharing interventions. These previous efforts have involved police providing emergency contraceptive pills and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis to survivors reporting to police stations, in addition to referrals to health facilities. The objective of the current study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a transportation intervention within police stations, coupled with training and sensitization for police officers to perform their government-mandated roles in post-rape care. This intervention was developed as a means of enhancing children's access to comprehensive post-rape care in Zambia. The study concluded that this package of interventions enhances child survivors' access to comprehensive services, however, post-rape care service delivery in health facilities must be strengthened for greater efficiency. A series of recommendations, described in the report, were generated to help support the operationalization and sustainability of the package of interventions to strengthen the capacity of police officers to provide post-rape care.