Experiences of healthcare professionals while providing expert testimony in sexual violence trials in Gauteng Province

Aqualitative-explorative and contextual design was used in this study. Seven individuals face to face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from healthcare professionals (medical doctotrs and nurses) in two Centres in Gauteng. non-probabilty purposive sampling technique was used in this study. Digital auto recorder was used to record and later transcribed into texts. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data and three themes and sub-themes emerged from the data. Consent letters to collect data from the Thuthuzela Care Centres were approved.

The files entails 7 individuals interviews and three themes emerged and are as follows:

1. Experiences of healthcare professionals while proving expert testimon in sexual violence trials court.

2. Commanded to appear in court

     2.1 Being on stand

     2.2 Aftermaths of expert witnessing