Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Dignity: The Adult Rape Clinic’s 15-Year Journey of Hope and Justice

The Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) stands as Zimbabwe’s foremost centre of excellence in the clinical, psychosocial, and community-based response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), providing lifesaving care to survivors for over 15 years. Established in 2009 in direct response to the absence of specialised post-rape services, ARC has grown into a national reference institution, delivering comprehensive, survivor-centred care through an integrated model that prioritises safety, dignity, and access to justice. As a registered Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 61/18), ARC operates seven service points across Harare, Kadoma, Gokwe, Mutare, Masvingo, Mazowe, and Goromonzi, ensuring that survivors in both urban and rural hard-to-reach communities can access emergency and long-term support. ARC’s governance is anchored by a highly experienced Board of Trustees offering expertise in law, finance, forensics, public health, and human resources, ensuring accountability, compliance, and institutional integrity. The Board drives ARC’s Vision of having a global society where Sexual Gender-Based Violence is unthinkable and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights are known, and respected. The organisation`s mandate is to assist people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by sexual exploitation for them to heal, recover, survive and regain control of their self-esteem, overcome discrimination, and manage long-term medical and psychological sequelae of the traumatic experience. ARC’s multidisciplinary structure, comprising forensic clinicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, MEAL and communications specialists, SRHR experts, legal advocates, gender practitioners, and financial professionals, enables a coordinated, high-quality response unmatched within Zimbabwe’s SGBV ecosystem. ARC delivers impact across five interlinked thematic pillars: (1) emergency and follow-up medico-legal care, including forensic examination, HIV/STI prophylaxis, and unwanted pregnancy prevention; (2) mental health and psychosocial support through trauma-focused counselling and psychotherapy; (3) community engagement and violence prevention through school programs, digital campaigns, traditional leadership-led community dialogues, and nationwide awareness initiatives; (4) capacity building of police, teachers, social workers, clinicians, and justice practitioners to strengthen the Victim friendly system referral pathway; and (5) survivor rehabilitation and economic empowerment through livelihood training for adolescent girls, young mothers, and vulnerable women. This ecosystem approach ensures holistic healing, strengthens community resilience, and contributes to national gender justice systems. To date, ARC has supported over 15,000 new survivors of rape and sexual violence, with an increasing average of 2,500 survivors annually, where 85% of whom are children. ARC’s community and digital advocacy platforms, including the #72Hours Campaign promoting early reporting, have reached more than 8 million people, strengthening prevention and shifting social norms across the country. ARC represents exceptional value for money through its ability to leverage partnerships with government ministries, justice actors, health facilities, academic institutions, community leaders, and survivor networks. Investment in ARC strengthens national SGBV response systems, expands survivor access to critical life-saving care, and supports long-term recovery and empowerment. With its proven model, robust governance, and nationwide reach, ARC offers global partners a trusted platform for high-impact, scalable, and transformative investment in gender equality, mental health, child protection, and the prevention of sexual violence. The Adult Rape Clinic not only provides services, it is rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and driving structural change. Continued support will enable ARC to expand its reach, strengthen digital and community-based prevention systems, and ensure that every survivor, regardless of age, disability, location, or socioeconomic status, can access compassionate, justice-driven care.