Rebuilding lives: How shelters support abuse survivors
When women and children flee abusive relationships, their journey to safety and healing is often filled with immense challenges.
Many find refuge in shelters like Cradle of Hope, a lifeline for survivors of abuse for nearly 20 years.
South Africa has joined the world to mark the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
Between July and September this year, the police’s crime statistics indicated that more than ten women and three children were murdered every day.
Additionally, 490 children were victims of attempted murder during this time, a 35.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
For women and children escaping abuse, arriving at a shelter is the first step in a long and complex recovery process.
Melodie van Brakel, from Cradle of Hope, explained that in addition to offering a safe environment, the shelter provides urgent care, including medical assistance, nutritious meals, and clean clothing.
"Many of the ladies and the children, they don't have ID documents. Their children don't have birth certificates. So they fled their homes without their documents, or their documents were quite often destroyed by their abusive partner.
“The mother sometimes has to return to the hospital in another province where the child was born initially to retrieve documentation before we can assist her to take her to register the child or children with Home Affairs.
“Then, we need to help them find a placement in a school, assisting them with everything they need to accomplish that. School clothes, stationary, safe transport to the schools and back," Van Brakel said.
She added that children also benefit from specialised trauma counselling and play therapy to help them process their experiences.
"We also focus intensely on rebuilding their self-esteem and providing the tools necessary for their eventual independent and sustainable living.
“Our House of Restoration is a safe home for destitute, vulnerable, homeless, and abused women as well as their children. And it was established in 2010, 14 years ago, so we've seen it all.”
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