The Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre in Mitchell’s Plain will host the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children on Tuesday 29 November at 11:00 at the Beaconvale Frail Care Centre in Beacon Valley.
The centre, a non-profit organisation (NPO), was established in 1988 to provide much-needed services to child abuse victims in disadvantaged communities across the Western Cape.
The services include long-term counselling to abuse victims and engaging children in individual therapy to deal with the emotional trauma caused by rape, indecent assault, sexual molestation and sodomy.
The NPO has offices in Athlone, Delft and Grassy Park. It gets referrals from areas such as Manenberg, Hanover Park, Bonteheuwel, Langa, Tafelsig, Eastridge, Capricorn, Sea Winds, Voorbrug, Leiden and Roosendal, among others.
Rochelle Philander, director of Safeline, says they will host information sessions and an exhibition for the local and broader community of Mitchell’s Plain.
“We give support to the family of the child victim as they journey in adapting coping mechanisms to assist with their trauma and that of their child. The rape of the twins in Eastridge is enough reason to believe that the programmes we offer are desperately needed in our communities.”
She says most areas where they operate face challenges such as single-headed families, unemployment and substance abuse.
“The referrals within our Athlone district are mainly due to cases of incest. Our services delivered to the families in all the districts are at no cost and from time to time we would assist with the reimbursement of transport costs given out by the caregiver.
“Our organisation would also ensure that once an assessment of the family has been completed a food parcel, which is sponsored to our organisation, would be offered together with empowerment counselling around skills development,” Philander says.
Programmes offered are individual counselling for child victims of abuse between the ages of two to 18 years; individual counselling for children abusing other children between the ages six to 11 years, a parent support group, a foundation phase programme, teenage life skills programme and a support programme.
“During the school holidays, we run a library programme and have different events during the year celebrating calendar year events. Safeline is a project with a good history in the arena of child sexual abuse and has remained at the cutting edge of the issue. We use our resources to get right into the heart of the communities who need its services the most,” she says.
Safeline has both the experience and capacity for further expansion into the areas should necessary funding be procured. This will make a significant difference to these communities in terms of children and their parents being able to access help and support when they are abused as well as raising awareness of the issue in the communities. This will empower children and their families to stand up against abuse.
“To ensure effective service delivery our organisation does rely on assistance and support from various corporate companies. We would at times request assistance in the form of objects such as clothing, toys, groceries, office equipment, stationery and reading books which are used with the awareness programmes. Safeline also requests donation as this would assist the organisation in maintaining its operational costs.
“Due to the increase in referrals to Safeline, the need for more support from communities and corporate companies has become a dire need.
Funds granted will be used towards the programme or programmes you see fit to invest in. Your assistance would be highly appreciated and would assist Safeline in the “Plight against child abuse” and “Empowering communities to care,” Philander says.
- For more information, contact Mitchell’s Plain Glider Office on 021 214 1229 or emailmplainsw@safeline.org.za
