Background: Sexual assault affects the life of many South Africans and results in physical,
emotional, psychological and spiritual health consequences. Effective follow-up care postsexual
assault is linked positively to recovery. However, follow-up rates are known to be low.
The study aimed to explore enablers of and barriers to clinical follow-up of sexual assault
survivors, thus informing evidenced-based recommendations for the improvement of access
to and utilisation of related services within the Eden District.
Methods: Following an explorative, qualitative approach, ten participants were selected
using purposive sampling. Accessing data from the Hospital Sexual Assault Register, case
managers obtained consent for the researcher to contact potential participants. Digitally
recorded in-depth interviews between the researcher and participants were transcribed and
analysed. Using an interactive process, complemented by the use of the software
programme ATLAS.ti, emerging themes were identified, findings documented and
discussed. Trustworthiness was ensured with attention to credibility, transferability,
dependability and confirmability. Ethical principles were applied throughout the study and in
accordance with the ethical approval granted by the Health Research Ethics Committee of
Stellenbosch University. The Research Division of Strategy and Health Support, Western
Cape Department of Health granted access approval to the study sites.