Knitted teddy bears bring comfort to rape victims

HUNDREDS of hand-knitted teddy bears are making their way to trauma rooms at courthouses across the City, thanks to activist Venetia Orgill, grandmothers, mothers, pupils and teaching staff.

Mitchells Plain community activist, Orgill, who feeds the homeless in Cape Town, said that just over a year ago while visiting the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court she noted a need for teddy bears for rape victims.

Rape victims attend counselling and court preparation sessions at trauma rooms at court houses which are often filled with toys and teddy bears.

Orgill said she immediately jumped into action and placed a post on Facebook appealing for teddy bears.

The response was overwhelming. She is now receiving hundreds of the stuffed toy animals which will be sent to court houses across the City, such as in Athlone, Mitchells Plain, Blue Downs and Khayelitsha.

The teddy bears are the work of donors from as far as Durban who spend their time knitting the stuffed toys.

Orgill said the bears were therapeutic and healing for victims who had the daunting task of testifying in court, facing their perpetrators and living with the trauma and pain.

“In July, I was invited to lunch at the Dolphin Beach Hotel where I met some of these ladies. They are from all walks of life, some even have it couriered to my home.

“All a victim has to do is take this bear and give it a big hug; we have seen adult victims do this as well. It is their safety net. When they are afraid… when they have a nightmare.

“I am so grateful to everyone who is part of this journey because rape is a crisis in our country. I cannot name them individually.”

One of the donors is DF Malan High School in Bellville.

Teacher Elmari Minnie said they hoped to complete 500 teddy bears by September.

“We heard about the need for the teddies and were touched by the project,” she said. “So far we have knitted about 380 bears and hope to reach our target of 500 by the end of September. All grades are knitting, as well as staff members.

“Some of our male staff members provided wool and many people were involved. We hope to touch the hearts of some of these very sad victims.

“They certainly touched ours.”

BRENDAN MAGAAR African News Agency (ANA) VENETIA Orgill, activist for women and children’s rights and the homeless, has begun a nationwide initiative where teddy bears are being knitted for victims of rape and placed in trauma rooms at court houses. She has received hundreds, even from school children. |

PUPILS of DF Malan High School with the teddy bears they knitted for rape victims. l FACEBOOK