A shelter is a place where victims of crime and violence are able to live for a period of 1 day up to approximately 3 months depending on the needs of the victims.

The shelter assists with meeting basic needs such as:

•    providing a safe place to live,
•    providing protection, food and
     clothing,
•    providing emotional support
     services such as trauma debriefing and therapeutic
     counselling,
•    providing information on developing skills, victim’s rights and capacity building,
•    providing support in preparation for court procedures,
•    providing programmes focused on alleged perpetrators and
•    providing gender based violence prevention programmes.

A shelter for victims of crime and violence does not provide statutory services to children; therefore shelters can't accommodate children without their parents/ legal guardians.

There are a number of shelters for abused women and their children in the Western Cape registered with the Department of Social Development.

Women in need of protection can contact a shelter directly, or ask a social worker at the nearest regional office of the Department, or your nearest police station for assistance in contacting a shelter.

Such women should also consider applying for a protection order.

Women who are being abused by persons addicted to drugs or alcohol may also consider applying to have their abuser committed to a drug treatment centre.

Should the abuser be known to have a licensed firearm, an application to have the firearm removed can also be considered.