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Just 24 hours after the launch of the new SA National Shelter Movement (NSMSA) helpline, an abuse victim who was among the first callers to call was pulled out of a dangerous situation and taken to safety.
“When a survivor calls the helpline, we take their details, including their address. We offer basic emotional support, then we help her get into a shelter or whatever assistance she needs, like going to a police station to press criminal charges or get a protection order, ”said Bernadine Bachar, director of the Saartjie Baartman Center.
The free 24-hour shelter helpline, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, went live last Wednesday. It is supervised by three social workers and is based at the Saartjie Baartman Center in Athlone, Cape Town.
Bachar said that based on the volume of calls they received within a day of the helpline being launched, it was clear that more resources were needed. He said more than 200 calls were answered in four days.
“Many women are looking for places in shelters and we have had a significant number of women request help in obtaining protection orders,” Bachar said.
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