Vryburg based Khuseleka one-stop centre is in the right stead to provide psychosocial support to the victims and survivors of gender based violence, North West MEC for Social Development Basetsana Sussana Dantjie expressed her satisfaction to the management of the state run victim empowerment centre.
As part of the activities scheduled for the observance of 16 days of activism campaign, Dantjie visited the centre on Monday to monitor and assess its readiness to provide statutory services to victims of GBV.
“I am impressed by the readiness of the management of this centre to render the required quality services. As I conducted an oversight visit at the centre, I learnt that the centre has a tidy office block, kitchen, laundry, vocational workshops and four roomed family unit with toilets and bathrooms. The centre has a capacity to accommodate 40 people,” MEC Dantjie said.
Tebogo Kitchen, social work supervisor said that they provide a wide range of services to the victims under one roof to avoid secondary abuse. “We accommodate victims for a period of six months, depending on their circumstances. We also have shelter for human trafficking victims.”
Kitchen said women and young girls who survived GBV receive accredited training in the form of sewing, computer skills and atchar making skills.
“Khuseleka” is a popular name derived from the Zulu word which means protection. The centre opens for 24 hours to provide services to victims which include trauma counselling, psychosocial support, health care, police services, legal assistance and accommodation up to a period of six months.
The Khuseleka Model is a multi-sectoral approach being implemented by the Department of Social Development in partnership with key government departments and institutions which include the departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), South African Police Services and civil society organisations.
ENDS.
Issued by North West Department of Social Development
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