BRIEF DESCRIPTION …

L’Abrie de Dieu SAFE HOUSE Stellenbosch A Secondary Prevention Institute and

... a place of refuge and shelter for abused women and children, including trafficked victims, rape survivors and pregnant women in crisis. We strive to provide protection, comfort, support and healing in a Christian homely environment; restoring body, soul & spirit.

• Despite being one of the most affluent towns in South Africa, it is also sadly a town of great disparity which includes many farm & rural communities as well as informal settlements.

• For too long women and children trapped in abusive households in the Greater Stellenbosch Municipal District had to face the violent reality of having nowhere to run. The cries of these most vulnerable members of our community have not fallen on deaf ears

Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa . The town is well known internationally for the University and its wines.

L’Abrie de Dieu SAFE HOUSE Stellenbosch

• The women and children in our care have suffered physical and emotional abuse, rape and other traumas related to domestic violence and sexual exploitation

L’Abrie de Dieu SAFE HOUSE Stellenbosch

After three years of planning and preparation, the doors to the first Safe House in Stellenbosch, L’Abrie De Dieu (meaning “God’s Shelter”), opened 4 February 2008. Stellenbosch Magistrate court processed up to 800 applications for Family Violence Protection Orders per year from 2005. The Safe House fulfils this longstanding need of the community.

• It is estimated that thousands of people will be trafficked into South Africa for the 2010 World Cup - We are the half way house between their rescue by the police and their returning home to be re-united with their families/community. We do this with the help of STOP, IOM, Immigration, Home affairs and relevant embassies. • We offer group as well as individual counselling sessions to our residents as well as other victims of violence in this community.  A full time social worker is available to our residents for this support. • We have some residents who tested positive to HIV/Aids –we treat our residents with respect and sensitivity.

L’Abrie de Dieu SAFE HOUSE Stellenbosch

•We aim to empower our women through skills training and support them by means of arranging a crèche for their children when they found employment and see that they receive legal aid and comprehensive medical care

L’Abrie de Dieu SAFE HOUSE Stellenbosch

Accountability – We have functioning partnerships with:

•Western Cape Women Shelter Movement•Department of Social Development •Stellenbosch Municipality•Magistrate’s Office Stellenbosch•South African Police Stellenbosch•IOM (International Organization of Migration) •Department of Home Affairs/ Immigration•STOP(Stop Trafficking of People)•Cape Winelands District Office•ABBA and SWOKK Network Stellenbosch •Food retailers and Churches in Stellenbosch

Contribution by Stellenbosch Municipality

•We have a close working relationship•Receive yearly Grant-in-Aid from them•Infrastructure Support: Subsidised rental towards the property •Strong involvement with the vulnerable groups and women specific •The Municipality is partnering in Human Trafficking task group and running “Keep them safe” holiday program for children during Soccer World Cup

L’Abrie de Dieu Safe House Stellenbosch believes that no women or child should be left vulnerable...