A safe home for abused women and children in Grahamstown is essential as it is often hard for a woman to press charges against her abuser. Ukulunga Kwethu ("out of the goodness of our hearts") Safe House is a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and any woman or child who finds herself in a dangerous situation can seek asylum here until a solution is reached.
A safe home for abused women and children in Grahamstown is essential as it is often hard for a woman to press charges against her abuser. Ukulunga Kwethu ("out of the goodness of our hearts") Safe House is a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and any woman or child who finds herself in a dangerous situation can seek asylum here until a solution is reached.
The shelter was started as an NGO in April 2008 and the committee consists of the Rhodes Legal Aid clinic, the local branch of the department of Justice, Settlers Hospital, Department of Education, South African Police Service (SAPS) and Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (Famsa). This house is kept going through Department of Social Development funding.
The motive behind the development of the safe house is the fact that most of the time victims end up sleeping at the police station as they are afraid to return to their abusive environment, especially if there are children involved. Senior Superintendent Lizette Zeelie says that the safe house is an initiative to supply emotional and moral support throughout the duration of the court case. The police station usually calls Zeelie who then accompanies the survivor to the safe house.
The house is fully furnished and occupants are supplied with food, clothes and toiletries through donations from the community. A competent house mother makes sure that everyone feels safe and regular counselling sessions (even after the case is over) are encouraged.
This project helps women who are currently coping with being physically, sexually or emotionally abused to get up and say no to domestic violence. The safe house provides shelter for abused women and children. Contact the SAPS on 046 603 9147 for more information.
