With today marking International Day of Non-Violence, the Department of Social Development (DSD) is playing a leading role in supporting victims of violence and abuse.
Through the Victim Empowerment sub-programme, DSD has invested just over R28.1-million for integrated projects and services to support and empower victims of violence and crime, in particular women and children.
The department has made services to victims of violence and abuse more accessible by increasing our number of offices by 176% since 2009, from 17 to 47 offices. This includes the 40 local offices across the province bringing services closer to communities.
Key to our efforts is adopting a whole-of-society approach, which involves building partnerships with the private sector, NGOs, and individuals in our communities.
DSD funds 34 NGO partners who render key services for victims of violence and abuse, such as;
Our efforts have begun to achieve great success. In this regard, DSD recently launched the Khuseleka One-Stop Centre at the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Mannenberg. The Khuseleka model brings together a range of victim support services in one space.
The Department has allocated R3.28-million to the Khuseleka One Stop Centre for the key objective of providing a 24-hour “place of refuge” for victims of crime.
In addition to the Saartjie Baartman staff complement, the Khuseleka Model allocates an additional two social workers and two social auxiliary workers, and this will see the centre render services such as:
The Khuseleka One-Stop Centre has begun to see an increase in people approaching it for assistance. Since its launch in August it has assisted 97 women and children with shelter. The Centre currently assists 182 women and men, and provides counselling to 52 children. In addition, the Centre has provided referral services to 274 people, and provided legal services to 100 women.
If we are to end violence in our society we must continue to work in partnership. The public can access any of our services by approaching any of our local offices, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development
Western Cape Government
7th floor, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8000
Tel : (021) 483 9217
Cell : 076 083 6543
Email : Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za