TEARS, an organisation that offers support and counselling to women and children who have been abused, raped and often left destitute is fighting to stay open.
The TEARS Foundation is facing the grim possibility of having to close its doors if they do not raise enough money to carry their costs over the next few months. Their main sponsor has been facing some difficulties and has stopped all payments until further notice.
TEARS provides access to crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, and prevention education services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse.
They were able to pay their staff for December but are at a loss for how to get through January and the rest of the year. TEARS work to assist women and children, helping them survive abuse and rape or prevent them from becoming destitute.
Gender-based violence is a big thing in South Africa and services like those that TEARS offers are vital for uplifting women and children affected by violence.
“TEARS Foundation has been at the forefront of the South African response to sexual violence for the past 7 years. We work with government, non-profit organisations, academic institutions and the public to ensure that all available resources are embraced to prevent sexual violence. Confidential services are provided to all victims at no charge.
Our Mission is to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape and other forms of sexual violence. We provide assistance to ensure that the needs of survivors of sexual violence are met. We receive approximately 40,000 contacts to our Helpline every year, from women of all ages who have experienced both recent and historical sexual assault or abuse.”
In South Africa, every 25 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted, 1 in 4 women is in an abusive relationship and every six days, a woman in South Africa is murdered by her intimate partner. We don’t share these stats to spread fear but it is a reality of South African women’s lives. Something we need to stand up to.
Currently, TEARS helps 40,000 women through their call centre. These callers receive help and information about what steps to take next. They even teamed up with Namola, the SA safety app.
“With the Namola service on the Help at your Fingertips helpline, we are able to respond immediately to a caller in distress. We receive reports on all emergency calls which is dealt with immediately by Namola. This enables us to follow up with victims, to help them navigate their path to recovery as well as provide victims with immediate help, free of charge, in emergencies.
By using GPS location, assistance through Namola, the team immediately sends the request to the local law enforcement and participating safety initiatives in their community so they can come to their aid as quickly as possible.”
They have sent out a plea for corporates to come forward and help with any CSI projects this year. They have generously been donated a serviced corporate office space to run their operation, free of charge. Now their focus is on vital funding. Not only can corporates get involved but also individuals. Donations can be sent through via Facebook or direct contact with the team via email.
If you contact the foundation, there may be more than just one way to assist them, all you have to do is ask.
You can find out more at www.tears.co.za or email mara@tears.co.za.
85 Protea Road, Kingsley Office Park, Block C
Chislehurston, Sandton
Postnet Suite 414, Private Bag X9, Benmore, Sandton, 2010
010 590 5920 | 082 448 9324 | mara@tears.co.za | marag@tiscali.co.za | www.tears.co.za
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