Wilna Grobler

Initiatives

 

Crises Centres

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The objective is for each Crises Centre to deliver a 24 hours one-stop service for victims of crime particularly sexual offenses and domestic violence. The Crises Centre is operating on a short term crisis intervention and the victims receive medical, forensic attention, counselling and legal advice.

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iDUC in association with the different stakeholders supports the victims on both an emotional and practical level in the following ways:

Co-ordination and support from pre-reporting the rape right through litigation, so that no important details are missed which could cause e.g. the case to not go to trial, or antiretroviral drugs not being administered.

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Save House

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The objective is for each Crises Centre to be linked to a house of safety where the victims can be relocated if necessary.

The scourge of domestic violence, rape and abuse reaches far beyond just the victim and their immediate family, it reaches even beyond their community – it reaches out and affects entire nations.

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International studies have shown that this scourge costs countries billions of dollars each year – in medical costs, legal costs and in lost production while the victim recuperates, seeks alternative accommodation and puts her life back together.

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The Safe House does not offer a one stop solution to this problem, but does offer the victim a safe haven in which to recuperate and make informed decisions on their futures. Victims are referred to the safe house program by the South African Police Service, the Magistrates Court, Social Development Organisations, hospitals, social workers and other professionals, and may stay for up to three months, depending on the victim’s situation.

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During their stay at the safe house the victims are encouraged and empowered to overcome their situation, and become victors as opposed to victims. Life is kept as normal as possible for the victims, if they are employed or studying they’re encouraged to continue, should they be unemployed or temporarily unable to return to their place of work, they are encouraged to make use of the skills training program offered at the Living Waters Centre.

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During their stay, they continue to work closely with their social worker/counsellor in preparation leaving the safe house, and becoming independent contributors to society, who have overcome their challenges.

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Counselling

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IDUC Buddies (Lay councillors)

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The objective of the iDUC is to train some of the victims as lay councillors to assist with support and counselling in the communities. The iDUC Buddies are from the community and need to earn the trust of the community and to encourage victims to share their stories.

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Practical post-litigation support through continuous monitoring, group and individual counselling, skills auditing and resume preparation is part of the counselling process.

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Training

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Many of the victims need to get their confidence back to become active in the community and society again.  The victims will be assessed as different types of training and empowerment opportunities is available:

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Counsellors – 4-week basic training, followed by an 8-week internship where they start actively working on domestic violence cases in their own communities. After successfully completing their training and internship, they are assisting iDUC in the programs and will receive the official title of ”iDUC Buddy”.​

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Life Skill program – The objective of the program is to prepare entrepreneurs emotionally for the challenge of business which includes:

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The role of an entrepreneur in a community

• Business & ethics

• Staff management & handling of conflict

• Emotional stumbling blocks to achieving your goals

• Definition of success

 

Entrepreneurs – victims will be assessed and training and business opportunities identified to become a business owner or part of a co-operative. Incubation, mentoring, coaching will form part of the process

 

Host employment – victims will be assessed and according to their ability host employment will be sourced in their community

 

Learnerships – victims will be assessed and where possible placed in a learnership program