We have included acute sexual assault in the system of Explicit Health Guarantees (GES)
Authorities have announced this important measure as part of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the launch of the #SiEsMiProblema (Yes, It’s My Problem) campaign.
Health Minister Ximena Aguilera and Women Minister Antonia Orellana have given details of the announcement to provide comprehensive health care to victims of acute sexual assault, by including it in the system of Explicit Health Guarantees (GES).
The news was released as part of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the launch of the #SiEsMiProblema (Yes, It’s My Problem) campaign, which encourages everyone to get involved and act to help stop violence against women.
The new measure will become part of the system of Explicit Health Guarantees (GES). It considers recent attacks that have occurred within a maximum 72 hours. In this sense, a rapid intervention reduces the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or conceiving a pregnancy, and significantly protects the mental health of the person affected.
Health Minister Ximena Aguilera stated that “from October 1, we are including comprehensive care for acute sexual assault in the Explicit Health Guarantees program. This is a government commitment to the issue of sexual violence, in which care is being guaranteed in all large-scale emergency services and emergency primary care services, including immediate medical care and examinations and treatments for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as mental health support.”
Women and Gender Equity Minister Antonia Orellana stressed that providing emergency care in cases of acute rape and sexual assault is a concrete way of addressing violence against women. Although the approach is not preventive, as it provides treatment after an incident occurs, it deals with the reality of the situation and seeks to repair the damage caused.
“We have suffered in the last seven years an increase in crimes of sexual violence. Today, we are augmenting the primary care that was already available with prophylaxis, emergency contraception in cases of acute sexual assault, and follow-up support, which has to do with mental health,” Minister Orellana stated.
She added, “every 14 minutes a woman is victim of sexual assault in Chile, according to figures from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Therefore, being able to extend emergency care and follow-up support - with at least four mental healthcare sessions to give a minimum degree of treatment for sexual violence - to the entire health network is something that we want to expand by soon approving the comprehensive law on violence against women.”
Access guarantees
Each beneficiary will have access to first response in a hospital emergency service, as well as follow-up support in an outpatient speciality care center.
Opportunity guarantees
The first response will be provided immediately after the request for attention in a hospital emergency unit, and will include:
- Comprehensive medical care
- Drug screening
- Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, VDRL (to detect syphilis), and Beta hCG (to detect chorionic gonadotropin, the pregnancy hormone).
- Follow-up support will be provided within 35 days of the first response, up to a maximum of one year.