Mission Statement

SafeCare Community Care Centre, through its crises intervention, education and training programme and support services, is dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence and other forms of abuse violating human rights and dignity of its victims.

SafeCare Community Care Centre is a registered, non-profit, public benefit, non-governmental organisation which, since its inception handled over 35 000 reported cases of domestic & gender based violence & human rights abuses in this province. The policy, functions and strategic plan for SafeCare Community Care Centre is governed and managed by the Board of Directors, Executive Director, Qualified Counsellors, Home Based Care givers and Office Administrators.

Safecare Community Care Centre has provided crises intervention, to a small extent legal support and advice, support services an empowerment to victims of domestic & gender based violence, crime and those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS. Though empowerment of women is given a priority because women are the main victims of human rights violations and historical discrimination even in relatively peaceful times, the organisation also addresses abuse of men.

As a human rights organisation, SafeCare Community Care Centre networks locally and nationally with other like-minded organisations, in order to strengthen its networking, lobbying & advocacy strategy.

SafeCare Community Care Centre in addition works with organisations and individuals in highlighting domestic and gender based violence as a human rights violation and seeking legislative redress from relevant government departments.

Purpose

SafeCare was established to provide counselling, prompt and effective response for victims of crime, abuse and HIV/AIDS. However responses will vary according to the needs of the victim. We assist with the following services:

• Counselling
• Short-term shelter
• Legal Counselling (at Court)
• Community Workshops
• Awareness campaigns
• Food & Clothing hampers

Safecare Operations

SafeCare is able to implement its activities via unyielding support of the following role players or stakeholders:

• Community
• Local Business
• Local Trained Volunteers
• Volunteers who work on a roster basis & provide a 24hour service throughout the year.

1. Trauma (Crime and Abuse)

Emergency calls are placed via SAPS to our helpdesk, which are then forwarded to a volunteer who is called out to the site of the incident to assist the survivor. Then the survivor is supported and counselled in the trauma room. Trained and experienced controllers provide backup should the volunteer be unable to cope.

The immediate and short term need of traumatized persons are the main focus and may include counselling, basic first aid, rescue/tea and emergency shelter so provide transport and accompaniment to district surgeons (rape), courts (protection orders, divorce), mortuaries (death, suicide, murder), hospitals (car accidents, domestic and gender violence). Preparation with court documents is also provided.

2. HIV/AIDS

Controllers and volunteers at rural care / crisis centres not only provide support in crime, abuse and trauma situations but also have to deal with the horrid reality of HIV/AIDS. Volunteers are trained on the following:

• Training on domestic violence
• Training on gender based violence
• Children’s rights
• Women’s rights
• Human rights education
• The constitution
• Domestic violence act
• HIV/AIDS training
• Home based care
• HIV/AIDS and the law
• Counselling skills
• Conflict management
• Life skills
• Income generation (related projects)

We currently support 5 crèches / day-care facilities, which are responsible for orphaned & vulnerable children. We help provide food, clothing, furniture and blankets. If old enough, we also assist children to commence their primary education. We provide income generation to the various HIV/AIDS support groups. We are currently running a sewing skill project; we are confidant our success will be upheld. Vegetable gardens have been earmarked and seed are being distributed to help provide an important source of vitamins to their diet. Throughout these training courses, research programs were processed to observe the importance of projects like ours. It is vitally important to steer people affected by HIV/AIDS into positive thinking, this was one way in which these people realised their potential.

3. Community Education and Awarenes

SafeCare volunteers – basic first aid, trauma counselling, home based care, police and welfare procedures and other special topics relevant to the services offered are covered in depth. Extensive community education and awareness training programmes are facilitated and hosted to relevant target groups. The following issues are covered during these sessions:

• Anti-hijacking
• Rape
• Victim empowerment
• Domestic and Gender Based Violence
• Social Crime Prevention

SafeCare has developed and continues to maintain effective working relationships with SAPS and Community Policing Forums.

4. The Safehouse

SafeCare promotes and supports the restoration of the family, both nuclear and extended as well as neighbourly care and support.

The centre gives support and shelter to survivors of domestic and gender based violence. SafeCare volunteers assist victims of abuse who face volatile and abusive spouses. The victim is given a safe haven on a short-term basis. Here the survivor is given a chance to reflect and work through the trauma with the counselling provided. This counselling is ongoing and continues during and after their stay if needed. Their physical needs such as food, clothing, toiletries etc, are provided for the duration of their stay. Survivors are assisted with preparing their court documents (protection orders, divorce papers, court interdicts, maintenance orders, custody, guardianship), transportation to and from court and support while at the magistrate’s office.

A 24hour call manageress oversees the call centre’s functioning. The property is situated in a quiet suburb and is patrolled regularly by the SAPS and a private security company.

5. The Help Desk

SafeCare Help Desk is based in Doonside (Amanzimtoti) and is managed by a registered Counsellor. Telephonic trauma debriefing as well as assisting survivors with placement and referrals are both offered by the SafeCare Help Desk.

Counselling and assistance are provided free of charge for survivors wanting help. A comprehensive referral network has been established which includes support and co-operation from the SAPS, welfare, legal aid, hospitals, clinics, foster parents and emergency shelters.

6. Trauma Volunteers

One of the criteria is that Trauma Volunteers have to undergo an Intensive Trauma Counselling course prior to them commencing volunteering their services with SafeCare.

The training programme is conducted in collaboration with a local church. The course serves to equip and prepare the volunteers with the practical and emotional aspects when dealing with survivors of violence. However we would like to place on record that those volunteers, who are responsible to counsel victims and survivor’s of violence are emotionally balanced and are able to assist victims effectively and are able to create the necessary boundaries without getting personally involved. Those Volunteers, who are personally unable to handle trauma are utilised elsewhere. This course is an intensive training course that covers basic listening and counselling skills and is conducted over a three-week period. After the initial Trauma Counselling course, further training is initiated to equip volunteers with basic first aid knowledge and familiarity with police procedures.

Once the necessary training is completed, volunteers begin working first in groups of two with an experienced volunteer. All beginner volunteers are closely observed and supervised by a senior or experienced trauma counsellor. Volunteers are very often called out to intervene or assist in matters regarding domestic and gender based violence or crime scenes. Volunteers are expected to go out in pairs with the full support and protection of the SAPS.

Training is conducted on an ongoing basis and training workshops are conducted on specific topics in order to enhance & strengthen Volunteers skills.

Topics are covered include:

• Knowledge in police procedures
• Dealing with domestic violence
• HIV/AIDS
• Child protection procedures
• Suicide
• Rape
• Drug abuse
• Child birth
• Conflict management
• Self awareness
• Time management
• Victim empowerment
• Life skills

Experts in their various fields, including, present these courses:

• Social workers (Welfare)
• Police
• Psychologists
• Counsellors
• Life line / Child line
• Education department
• Business Against Crime
• Human Development Trust

7. Community Empowerment Workshops

Undoubtedly the need to educate and empower ordinary people at grass roots level cannot be over emphasized. Based on this, SafeCare continues to initiate, organise and conduct capacity building and empowerment workshops to local communities. The workshops are held in Amanzimtoti.

The following issues are addressed at these workshops:

• Anti-hijacking
• Basic life skills
• Home management
• Self defence
• Basic financial management
• Domestic violence
• Gender equality
• Human Rights Education
• Constitution
• Women’s & Children’s Rights

These workshops are conducted on an on-going basis. Our aim and objective is to empower and uplift the community thus enabling SafeCare to evaluate the impact made via the implementation of projects in targeted communities.

Should you require any further details, visuals or financials, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• +27 031-903-7777
• +27 031-903-4426 (F)
• safecare@skytec.co.za