For many South African women experiencing abuse, finding a safe place to ask for help can be just as difficult as escaping the violence itself, Cape {town} Etc reports.
With the country preparing to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, two organisations are joining forces to make that first step towards safety a little easier.
MOSAIC Training Service and Healing Centre and the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust have secured four years of funding from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
The investment will support a programme aimed at connecting women and girls experiencing domestic and intimate partner violence with healthcare, counselling, legal assistance and longer-term support.
Known as SAFELink – Healing, Protection and Accountability for Women and Girls, the initiative will be led by MOSAIC in partnership with Groote Schuur Hospital Trust.
It is expected to reach thousands of vulnerable women and girls across the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with the aim of preventing further abuse and helping survivors rebuild their lives.
Turning hospitals into places of safety
One of the programme’s key priorities is ensuring that women who visit public healthcare facilities can access help when they need it most.
For some survivors, a hospital or clinic appointment may be one of the few opportunities they have to speak privately about abuse.
Groote Schuur Hospital Trust has already developed an Intimate Partner Violence Screening Intervention, which helps healthcare workers identify possible signs of abuse and respond in a sensitive, confidential manner.
Through the initiative, healthcare staff receive training to recognise gender-based violence, support patients who disclose abuse and connect them with appropriate services.
Kristy Evans, Executive Director of Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, explained that healthcare facilities have an important role to play in identifying abuse before it escalates.
‘Women visit clinics and hospitals every day. These are vital spaces for early identification, safe disclosure and support that can help prevent further violence,’ Evans said.
Support that goes beyond medical treatment
While identifying abuse is an important first step, survivors often need ongoing assistance to leave dangerous situations and regain independence.
This is where MOSAIC’s experience in survivor-centred services will play a central role.
The organisation provides counselling, safety planning, court support and opportunities for economic empowerment, helping women navigate the practical challenges that often accompany domestic violence.
Tarisai, Director of MOSAIC, welcomed the funding as an opportunity to strengthen the partnership and expand its reach.
‘The four-year grant gives us a tremendous opportunity to deepen our work together, connecting healthcare with the counselling, protection and practical support survivors need to rebuild their lives,’ Tarisai said.
The SAFELink programme will also focus on improving cooperation between healthcare providers, police, the justice system and social development services.
Rather than leaving survivors to navigate different institutions on their own, the partnership aims to create a more connected support system.
A call for more partnerships
The announcement comes ahead of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, observed annually from 25 November to 10 December, which draws attention to violence against women and girls.
Although the United Nations funding represents an important step forward, both organisations have stressed that expanding their work will require continued support.
MOSAIC and Groote Schuur Hospital Trust are encouraging funders, government institutions and community organisations to join their efforts and help bring these services to more communities.
For women living with violence, the hope is that seeking medical attention could also become the beginning of a safer future, with the right support available when they are ready to ask for it.
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