Looking after the survivors
Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre helps the survivors of rape and abuse.
A four-year-old girl has been killed in Katlehong.
It is tragic and unspeakable.
But for the Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre, it is nothing new — and therein lies the real tragedy.
Ekupholeni is a counselling centre operating out of zozos and containers on the grounds of the Natalspruit Hospital in Katlehong.
The organisation is in charge of psychosocial counselling at the next door Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Crisis Centre which sees dozens of victims of child abuse, sexual abuse and rape on a daily basis.
Counsellors at Ekupholeni see about 1 000 new cases of sexual assault and rape each year.
About two thirds of these cases are children.
Hundreds of these children are extremely young; either in pre-school or primary school.
The organisation’s therapy group for pre-school children, who have been victims of sexual abuse and/or rape, has 20 children – and is bigger than it ever has been throughout the organisation’s nearly 20 years of service to the community.
Staff at the centre said that the scourge of rape is becoming a crisis in the communities of Katlehong, Thokoza, Vosloorus and the surrounding areas.
Whereas before counsellors dealt with the psychological repercussions of rape, now they are also dealing with incredible associated violence.
What the dedicated staff are doing at Ekupholeni is no small task.
Their aim is to help these children and their caregivers put their lives back together.
This means that a once-off therapy session and a teddy bear, is simply not enough.
The staff compliment is made up of highly professional and qualified personnel, including clinical psychologists and social workers.
Some of the social auxiliary workers and lay counsellors offering support throughout the therapeutic process have 20 years’ experience in this field.
In order to provide the necessary long-term intervention required for genuine healing, the organisation needs financial assistance.
For more information about Ekupholeni or to support the organisation, call 011 648-9820, visit www.ekupholeni.org or email ekufunding@icon.co.za.
Ekupholeni is a registered non-profit organisation and public benefit organisation with ability to issue 18a tax benefit certificates for all donations.
