Media Release

Media targets: News (national and local)

11 June 2021

Anti-GBV NGO launches SAFE Project to strengthen the effectiveness of SA's protection order system

- Project set to reinforce domestic violence response through locally-driven collective action-

Cape Town, 11 June 2021 — An all-too-common scenario is for women to die with a protection order in their hand, a tragic loss of a life that could have been prevented if there were fewer systemic gaps in providing services to victims of domestic violence. These gaps can be plugged through localised multi-stakeholder, community-coordinated solutions using existing resources within the community.

This is according to Advocate Tarisai Mchuchu-Macmillan, Executive Director at MOSAIC Training, Service & Healing Centre, pointing to the alarmingly high instances of domestic violence, despite the Domestic Violence Act (of 1998) providing clear and precise instructions to be enacted by state actors to ensure the protection of victims of violence.

"While we know that victims are coming forward to seek protection through domestic violence protection orders, we still have too many instances of victims not being afforded the protection as intended by legislation, and these gaps in our protection order system are reflected in the crime statistics." According to the latest South African Police Services (SAPS) quarterly crime statistics, survivors opened 50 124 cases of assault with the police. In that same period, 1643 people were murdered either in their homes or in the perpetrator's home.

The community-based NGO, which helps empower women and girl survivors of domestic violence and abuse, recently launched the SAFE Project, which coordinates and convenes local collectives of multi-stakeholder partners working together to strengthen the effectiveness of SA's protection order system by connecting resources to ensure that domestic violence survivors receive responsive services in their communities.

"Having local collectives that are multi-sectoral means that we are connecting various practitioners to a community's needs. Practitioners include non-governmental organisations, traditional and religious leaders, and government departments such as SAPS, departments of Justice, Health and Social Development," says Mchuchu-Macmillan.

SAFE Project is different because these stakeholders are brought together locally, creating multi-stakeholder groups in each community comprising various local representatives to work together on issues specific to that community. The multi-stakeholder groups designed in each community form SAFE platforms, which will differ as each community is different, particularly when it comes to resources.

The NGO says the goal is to coordinate these SAFE platforms so that all justice, policing, and relevant community-based organisations collaborate in strengthening and building a coordinated response to domestic violence that gives effect to the 'protection' of the domestic violence protection order.

The SAFE Project was launched in Philippi, Cape Town, with the unveiling of the SAFE art installation at the Khanyisa Centre.  "The art installation serves as a visual reminder of the goals of the project, that protection orders must protect to ensure that women are safe at home, in relationships and communities free from domestic violence," says Mchuchu-Macmillan.

The launch was attended by various key stakeholders that form part of the inaugural SAFE Platform located in Philippi East, focusing on Philippi East and Browns Farm. The stakeholders include representatives from civil society organisations, government departments, faith-based and traditional leaders and community members.

'ENDS

Notes to editors

Hi-res images of the launch are available on request.

For more information, inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact:

Neo Khumalo

Communications consultant

E: communications@mosaic.org.za

T: +27 067 640 6032 (WhatsApp Calls and messaging)/ +44

About MOSAIC

MOSAIC is a community-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to prevent and reduce abuse and domestic violence. This is achieved by providing holistic, integrated services when incidences occur, and supporting clients through the process of healing and rebuilding their lives after a traumatic event.

MOSAIC creates an enabling environment through our holistic and integrated five-pillar service model

• Access to justice – psychosocial and legal support provided by court support workers, and psychosocial support from MOSAIC's Sexual Violence Counsellors at Thuthuzela Care Centres
• Support and Healing – Counselling Services, Support Groups and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights;
• Engaging Men and Boys- Training and Workshops, Support Groups and Counselling for Men
• Empower- Education and Skills Training, Rights Training, Youth GBV Life Skills and Community Dialogues
• Advocacy and Policy- Advancing rights of women and girls by providing evidence from our services to change the system.

The organisation was established in 1993 in response to high levels of violence against women in South Africa, particularly in the form of domestic violence, and in recognition of the silence that many women suffer in unnecessarily, due to either a lack of knowledge of their rights, a lack of confidence to access justice for themselves, or both. MOSAIC's registered head office is in Cape Town, South Africa.

For further information about MOSAIC, please visit www.mosaic.org.za