Question NW901 to the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Reply:

The Department does not provide safe homes or shelters for abused women and children. The Department of Social Development (DSD) provides funding to the shelters for victims of crime and violence. A shelter is a residential facility that accommodates all victims of crime and violence as well as their care. DSD has also established the Khuseleka One Stop Centre model to provide services by various stakeholders to the victims of crime and violence including domestic violence. It is a community-based center where victims of crime and violence receive services through a multi-disciplinary approach comprising teams of social workers, nurses, doctors, police officers, court preparation officers and prosecutors.

In addition, DSD sets up White Doors/Safe Spaces of Hope to provide temporary shelter and a safe space to victims of gender based violence, mainly, the most vulnerable groups such as women and children but not excluding men. The White Door is a 72 hours’ facility responding to the challenge of accessing available shelters for victims whose lives are in danger. This service serves as an emergency temporary intervention and in some cases overnight (24 hours), containment facilities offering accommodation and practical support to the victims. White Doors/ Safe Spaces are established to counteract gender-based violence and to encourage community participation whereby community members identify houses within their communities to be utilized as safe spaces for victims of violence for crisis interventions.