Respect and care for victims at Khomani Centre

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Khomanani Victim Support Centre deals with victims of domestic violence daily. Gaby Cheminais, a freelance reporter for Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, shares her experience of her visit to the Centre.

To the right of the Graaff-Reinet Police Station entrance is a stark white metal container. Passing the green sign 'Khomanani Victim Support Centre', I enter a small yet beautiful oasis of a room. Shelves of rag dolls and toys flank a comfortable couch and chair.

Posters, notices and certificates are carefully displayed. A child plays on the bright patterned rug, as her mother provides her details to a counsellor.

This is the point of entry for women and children who can no longer deal alone with the violence and abuse they are suffering. The room is tangible evidence of the respect and care that they receive at the Khomanani Victim Support Centre.

The Centre is a non-governmental organisation, started in 2007 by social worker Dianne Bertram, then working for the Department of Social Development. Once the paperwork was complete, staff posts were advertised. Gloria Jafta and Maudy Calvert were amongst those interviewed and 'we were the lucky ones' they say with a laugh.

There are four lay counsellors employed at the centre.

We meet in one of three small offices. Jafta and Calvert's passion and commitment to their work radiate as they speak of the high levels of gender-based violence in the community.

"Up until today we have seen 7 632 clients, most of them regarding protection orders, others we refer to different stakeholders.'

A huge problem is the absence of a place of safety while the protection order process is underway. Although women and some men may seek help, many ends up not applying for the protection order as they are too scared of their partner's response. Another growing problem is the high number of women coming from afar, accompanying their boyfriends to Graaff-Reinet.

"If the relationship becomes abusive they are stuck in the abusive relationship because they have nowhere to go. Your place of safety is the biggest challenge. We try to see what we can do but money is an obstacle. The feeling you have when you sit with clients who really need a protection order but are so scared to go back home while they are waiting for it is awful. And then if the court delivers the protection order, where will you go?"

This is why the Support Centre is fully behind the initiative to establish a safe house in Graaff-Reinet and why Jafta and Calvert are actively involved in the Siya Phambili development - 'For us, it is really a wow!'

The Khomanani Victim Support Centre is located to the side of the Graaff-Reinet Police Station.