Green Door Centre brings hope to the vulnerable
The facility also offers refuge services, including temporary accommodation, counselling and referrals to the nearest professional relevant service providers for medical assistance, counselling and shelter, among other things.
Vulnerable women and children who are fleeing abuse can seek refuge at Green Door Centre in Chief Albert Luthuli.
Green Door is a temporary safe house to where abused women can flee, often with their children, when they come under attack from their partners or family members.
Such sanctuaries serve as a place of refuge for victims of domestic violence.
The facility also offers refuge services, including temporary accommodation, counselling and referrals to the nearest professional relevant service providers for medical assistance, counselling and shelter, among other things.
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Crystal Park SAPS spokesperson and social crime prevention officer Sgt Lerato Mopeli said Green Door shelters aim to break the cycle of violence by empowering women with knowledge on what their rights are and how to be less dependent on their abusers.
“This also involves educating men and the youth on gender justice, what it means and how to prevent it,” said Mopeli.
“The centre was launched to provide a safe environment, with a homely atmosphere, a comfortable bed and sofas, as well as toys for children, and provides around-the-clock care.”
Mopeli added that the centre enables victims who are far from a police station to seek help instead of waiting for hours for a police vehicle.
The Crystal Park SAPS is working closely with Green Door Centre to prevent domestic violence and to bring offenders to justice.
The victim reception centre is located in the yard of Daphney Sibambo, who has served as an ambassador of Green Door Centre for the past seven years.
Sibambo has, for years, devoted her life to providing effective, expert and empathetic support to survivors of domestic violence.
She said on average, per month, she attends to at least 20 victims of domestic violence and abuse who arrive at Green Door to seek help.
“Our communities are in dire need of such services, especially in informal settlements where there are high rates of domestic violence cases,” said Sibambo.
“Domestic violence refuges save lives and are essential services for women and children escaping abuse. Without these centres, there is a high risk of women being killed in their own homes by violent partners.”
Sibambo is calling on the relevant departments to introduce more Green Door facilities in Daveyton.
She is appealing for donations to enable the Green Door to continue rendering its services effectively.
The donations sought include blankets, disposable nappies, mini bar fridge, kitchen utensils, clothes and bedding, toiletries, such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, underwear, hairbrushes and other essential items women and children need during these critical moments.
The centre is situated at 815 Swaziland Street, Chief Luthuli.
To donate, contact Sibambo on 078 282 6952 or Mopeli on 076 696 1387.
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