By Samkelo Biyela
General Manager of Operations at TEARS Foundation, Celeste Louw says South Africa’s current support services are not adequately meeting the needs of survivors of gender-based violence.
The TEARS Foundation is a women-led non-profit dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, rape, and child sexual abuse. The organisation offers confidential crisis intervention, counselling and prevention education.
Speaking to Gagasi FM news Louw said that the country’s response to GBVF remains broken and inconsistent.
Despite limited funding and a lack of sustainable resources, she says strengthening support services and investing in frontline organisations is critical to improving care for survivors.
With the GBV Command Centre having collapsed for a second time and currently being rebuilt, Louw adds that organisations on the frontline are expected to fill the gaps left by government.
