Services for Women & Survivors of Violence

There is a profound need for refugee and migrant women, as well as survivors of violence, to have access to services and platforms where they can become empowered, individually and collectively, to address the harm, marginalisation and violence that they face. Women and survivors of violence need opportunities where they can be brought out of the home to build confidence, heal from trauma, build positive relationships, and integrate with others, as well as increasing their awareness of South Africa’s constitutional framework.

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

Increasing confidence, building positive relationships, integrating into a new community, and understanding women’s rights in South Africa are significant, as these can help shape women’s perceptions of what they are entitled to within their families, and broader society. Refugee women have been particularly exposed to violence and abuse, in their countries of origin, in transit and after entering South Africa. This leaves many foreign women isolated and with enduring trauma. The impact of violence is further perpetuated by xenophobia, lack of legal status in SA, language difficulties, and insufficient knowledge about services and resources to help them. Beyond this, women need assistance in applying this knowledge to advocate for their rights and for the rights of others.

AMP Provides:

• An 11-week psychosocial programme run by registered counsellors together with trained peer counsellors, and referral to auxiliary social services where necessary

• Therapeutic interventions for individual, couple or family trauma counselling, as well as victims of crime and violence

• Advocacy and assistance to expedite emergency interventions such as reporting incidents to the police, attending court procedures, and securing interdicts

• Emergency assessment and referrals for shelter, social services, and medical/psychiatric interventions

• Assistance with facilitating economic empowerment and independence, and referral for skills training

• Screening services for sexual and gender-based violence and intimate partner violence

• Outreach programmes and workshops that address the cyclical nature of violence, prevention, and services available