Project Report
| Feb 10, 2011
Effective Policy Increases Awareness of Sexual Violence and Reporting
By Gillian Wilson | Project Leader
REACH worked together with a few key organizations to present a joint submission to the Portfolio Committee (The Portfolio Committee called for submissions to review the 11th year of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 11)- the submission focused on and included the following:
- The flaws in the Domestic Violence Act implementation
- The role of the court, the police, the health system, and the social welfare system
- The lack of housing and shelter
- Made recommendations for changes with regards to each area
- Included one of REACH’s beneficiaries’ story- as a way of illustrating the problems and gaps in the system around the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act
The outcome of the submission remains to be seen completely, however REACH has already experienced more calls than ever before for client assistance. Calls have been referred from the Independent Claims Directorate (ICD), a government institution that was established to investigate complaints of brutality, criminality and misconduct against members of the South African Police Service and the Municipal Police Service.
Your generosity and support helps REACH work effectively, creating big political impact and helping rural communities to fight against sexual violence towards women.
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Oct 11, 2010
Cases of Sexual Violence and Harassment Down
By Gillian Wilson | Project Leader
Starting October 12 for a limited time, GlobalGiving will be matching donations for this project! Donate and maximize your impact!
REACH’s continued efforts to end violence against women in South Africa has been strengthened through relentless dedication to addressing the issue at the legislative level and also by supporting women survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. Because women are increasingly vulnerable in these rural areas (especially within farming communities) due to low wages, insecure jobs, poor housing conditions, lack of education and limited access to other vital social services, REACH intervenes within in this context through an integrated and holistic approach geared to change the structural conditions that make farm workers vulnerable by providing counseling and legal support, rights-based training, raising awareness and advocacy work.
REACH is recognized as an expert in the field of sexual violence and has directly worked to improve women’s situations in the workplace. A great example of this is that one farm that REACH has been working with since 2007, reported that cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence have dropped since REACH began working with the farm workers.
You can help REACH attain their long-term goal of expanding its services by establishing satellite offices in the rural communities allowing them more quickly and effectively respond to violence against women.
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Jun 29, 2010
REACH Responds to Sexual Violence Against Women
By Gillian Wilson | Communications Director, IDEX
REACH’s response to sexual violence and harassment against women, particularly farm workers, has been an important contribution to the recognition of this issue in South Africa. REACH has directly supported women from rural farming communities and urban centers who have experienced sexual harassment/violence and domestic violence by offering support for women waiting to go to trial for cases of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
REACH has also worked towards ending violence against women through devoted advocacy work, campaigning to change existing and restrictive policies that affect sexual violence while also advocating for policies that better protect abused women. REACH has received training by SAFAIDS (South African AIDS/HIV Information Dissemination Service) as a master trainer and has now trained 80 community-based volunteers who focus on HIV/AIDS, culture and gender-violence. REACH continually seeks to raise awareness about sexual harassment, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
A Road Show, 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children, aimed to raise awareness and discuss women’s rights through 3 awareness-raising workshops for 200 participants.
With your continued support REACH plans to strengthen its policy advocacy work by ensuring that policy makers and legislators hear women’s voices. Thank you for your contributions so far.
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