Reaching Out centre still fighting fit
The shelter has not closed, but merely temporarily moved to another location.
DRIVEN to establish a one-stop domestic violence prevention crisis centre in Richards Bay, the Reaching Out Centre’s domestic violence support desk has set up a task team to spearhead this project.
Founder Pam Govender said their office, previously situated in Haiti Mall in Lira Link and which provides help to victims of abuse, was closed recently as part of a strategy to save limited finances.
While the centre is not affiliated to any religious groups or political organisations, local churches have offered to provide office space to help the centre conduct face-to-face counselling and provide assistance with protection order applications.
Facing huge challenges dealing with a very stigmatised topic, often being overlooked for funding owing to the perception that domestic violence is a family matter, the organisation has beaten the odds to keep its doors open.
‘The organisation has proved to be a vital link in service delivery to victims of domestic violence, even receiving the mayoral award for community service.
‘We have not closed our offices, but merely temporarily moved to another location.
‘There are a large number of clients that depend on the organisation for support and we are not about to abandon them,’ said Govender.
All clients requiring assistance can contact the office via email at reachingout@telkomsa.net or on 083 5270104. The office number is currently not is use.
