LifeLine lives up to its name and reputation
WITH an annual budget of over R19-million, LifeLine Zululand is massively involved in building mental health resilience through the projects it manages in the region.
But as LifeLine has grown over 35 years, so too have the many societal ills, most notably gender-based violence (GBV), that negatively affect the psycho-social well-being of the population at large.
This was evident from reports presented at its 33rd AGM, held at Umfolozi Casino Resort on Friday.
Stats on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) projects under the direction of programme manager Nompilo Maphumulo were shared:
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Three social workers and 14 auxiliaries are based at 11 SAPS Victim Friendly Rooms (KwaMsane, Mtuba, Hlabisa, Ezibayeni, Hluhluwe, Mkhuze, Jozini, Ingwavuma, Ndumo, Mbazwana and Manguzi)), as well as at two crisis centres at Hlabisa and Manguzi hospitals, plus the White Door Shelter for abused women at KwaMsane.
Funded by the Department of Social Development (DSD), the staff offers early crisis containment and counselling services and promotes community dialogue on issues including child and elderly abuse, GBV, and human trafficking.
Given the rise in GBV since the programme began in 2019, an additional nine social workers have been deployed.
LifeLine rendered psycho-social support services to 5 769 new client victims over the past year.
The Crisis Centres supported rape and sexual assault victims in deep rural areas where such events are rife, with 421 new clients at Hlabisa and 363 at Manguzi.
The White Door Shelters, where victims stay for 48 hours before being taken to safety, saw 56 abused women and their 27 children.
No fewer than 342 awareness campaigns were held, reaching 37 700 community members.
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Through limited DSD funding, a lower level VEP was conducted, with two social workers based at Jozini Saps.
However, a DSD national grant meant the programme could be extended, seeing a total of 24 social workers based at 14 SAPS Victim Friendly Rooms.
In total, services were rendered to 6 728 new victims of violence and crime, while 334 awareness campaigns reached 30 756 community members.
.LQJ &HWVKZD\R 'LVWULFW According to programme manager Nondumiso Mayise, this VEP employs nine social workers and nine auxiliaries, also linking GBV and other social ills to HIV/Aids prevalence rates, and was able to assist 5 341 new crime and violence victims over the past year.
Again, 447 awareness campaigns reached
24 135 people. During the 16 Days of Activism, GBV awareness reached 1 167 individuals.
The 24-hour Thuthuzela Care Centre at Ngwelezana Hospital, financed by DSD and supported by AFSA (Aids Foundation of SA), serviced 550 new victims of rape and sexual assault.
Social workers included one from Childline, for abused children under the age of 12.
Stats for rape and sexually abused victims show that 56% were below 18 years old; 34% were 19-35 years and 10% between 36 and 64.
Community-based violence and HIV prevention projects met
all the
COP20 targets for the 2021/22 period.
Prevention interventions reached 6 130 beneficiaries, with LifeLine Zululand the implementing agent for NACOSA (Networking HIV and Aids Community of Southern Africa).
56% of the 550 GBV victims seen at Ngwelezana Hospital were younger than 18