A safe house for physically, emotionally and sexually abused women and children in Stellenbosch is at risk of closing down, due to economic hardships during the lockdown.
This was according to Charlene Abels, acting office manager at the safe house, L’Abrie de Dieu.
L’Abrie de Dieu, a registered non-profit organisation (NPO), has been serving the Stellenbosch and surrounding community since it opened in 2006. PHOTO: Supplied/Boland Weddings
According to Abels, health practitioners inspected the house on 28 July, to see if the National Health Act regulations were adhered to during Covid-19.
After the inspection, a document was sent to the safe house stating that a plan of action needs to be drafted by 17 August, indicating how the house will be maintained, Abels told MatieMedia.
“The environmental health practitioners have informed us to always adhere to the National Health Act to maintain good health and wellbeing in the safe house,” said Abels.
However, Abels said that the lockdown made it difficult to obtain funding to maintain the building.
“This has led [to] little work being done in our bathrooms and kitchen, that are always in need of upgrades. Therefore, it is crucial that we upgrade the whole kitchen and bathrooms to maintain health and safety protocols,” said Abels.
If the house does not get funding, it would not be able to continue housing the women and children, Abels said.
A volunteer for marketing and events at the safe house, Rebecca Warboys, said that every day between eight to twelve women are being turned away at safe houses in the Western Cape, due to a lack of space in these houses.
“Most of our regular donors are also feeling the financial crunch due to lockdown and are not in the same financial position they were in before March,” said Warboys.
The coordinator of the Service of Mercy at the Dutch Reformed Church Stellenbosch-Welgelegen, Rina van der Heever, said that the church donates various items to the house, such as bedding and non-perishable food.
She added that the church does a door collection once a year to help the safe house.
“It would be a pity if the safe house closes down, especially in this time with all the violence against women and children,” said Van der Heever.
The team is grateful for the small donations that were made during the lockdown and weekly meals from community members to keep the house running, said Abels.
According to Rebbeca Warboys, the safe house has reached full capacity with ten women and nine children, varying from toddlers to teenagers. PHOTO: Supplied/Boland Weddings
A survivor of violence, who wishes to remain anonymous, fled to the safe house after realising that her abuser would not change, and started to fear for her life.
If the house had to close down, it would be sad for the women who need a safe haven, said the source.
According to Warboys, it is more important than ever for companies and individuals to come together to ensure that the safe house does not close down, because the vulnerable lives of women and children are at risk.