Our Voice

In Our Voice, we share our clients' poetry and stories, and aim to respond regularly to items in the news that concern gender-based violence and to keep our readers up-to-date with our own news and campaigns.

PRESS RELEASE

Saartjie Baartman Centre faces closure

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg, Cape Town has a local and international reputation as one of the finest one-stop centres to provide free shelter, legal and counselling services, job-training programmes and other resources to abused women and their children. As one of the shelter residents says, “The Centre is for abused women. But it shouldn’t be called “for abused women”! This is the only place where there is never any abuse against women – it’s against abused women!” She was laughing as she explained this, despite the fact that she lost a pregnancy three days ago because her husband kicked her in the stomach. The Centre has for the past 13 years been a vital part of Cape Town’s response to the issue of violence against women, in their homes and elsewhere. In 2011 alone, over 4000 women and children drew upon their services for safety, housing, legal and medical support, job-training and overall support.

Read the full press release here and follow this link to the Video clip made for this call to action.

Important Numbers

The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture - general trauma counselling.  
Tel: 021 465 7373

Lifeline/Childline – children and adolescents.
Tel: 021 638 0913

Wola Nani – HIV/AIDS counselling and education.
Tel: 021 447 2091

Gender DynamiX – transgender community.
Tel: 021 633 5287

Welcome to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children (SBCWC ) is a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse.

Our vision is the creation of a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights.

 

 

 

Services

We provide the following services to women and their children who experience domestic and/or sexual violence:

  • A 24-hour emergency shelter (safe accommodation)
  • Short and medium term residential care
  • Childcare services
  • Counselling, mental health support, legal and economic empowerment services
  • Research in gender-based violence
  • Job Skills training
  • Legal advice
 

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help the Centre with its work.

You can make a financial donation.

You can make a material donation.

You can donate your time, as a volunteer.

You can make a donation through Greater Good SA

You can donate by applying for a MY VILLAGE CARD (we are listed under The Saartjie Baartman Centre)

Read more about how you can help.

Facilities for Hire

The following are available: Tables and chairs (Main Hall: 120 seats; Boardroom: 20 seats; Blue Room: 100 seats); Television monitor and Video/DVD player in both halls; Overhead projectors; Flipchart stands.

Read more...