Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) provides free legal services and therapy to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) including sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse. LvA also works closely with local police and courts to ensure that the laws are enforced and that victims are treated with dignity and respect when seeking justice. Lastly, LvA works to educate and empower communities with information about their legal rights and remedies in cases of GBV.
Violence against women and children is an epidemic in South Africa. In the community of Diepsloot, where LvA works, rates of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse are staggeringly high. In a recent survey, 78.8% of community members identified domestic violence and sexual violence as the two most common form of violence in the community. Furthermore, many women lack meaningful access to legal relief and often suffer secondary trauma when seeking justice through the police and court
LvA provides free legal services and therapy to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse in Diepsloot. LvA assists clients in obtaining protection orders, provides support in criminal cases of rape and assault, and ensures the police and courts are responsive to victims' needs. LvA also provides individual and group therapy, works in schools with teachers and students around sexual violence, and facilitates community workshops to empower women and girls.
This project will provide hope, healing and justice to hundreds of sexual and domestic violence victims, thus breaking the cycle of abuse and freeing survivors to move on with their lives. LvA's innovative community-based model involves direct client support, community education and awareness-raising, as well as ongoing engagement with state actors. LvA believes that by changing attitudes, we can also change behavior, and ultimately transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
