LifeLine Ekurhuleni aims to empower victims of violence

Duduza – LifeLine Ekurhuleni is an NPO with branches throughout the region, including Duduza and Tsakani. The NPO provides counselling to victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse, depression, anxiety and emotional wellness. They currently operate at Rivers of Living Waters Healing Ministries in Bluegum View.

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Chief social worker for the Duduza branch Daina Nyathi explained how the organisation supports the needy and vulnerable in the community. “Bringing the organisation to Duduza started off as a victim empowerment project, whereby we established a Victim Friendly Room (VFR) unit within the Duduza Police Station. “To date we still have a unit which operates from there. “We facilitate victim support services and work hand in hand with different shelters for abused women and children,” she said. A VFR is a dedicated room within a police station to provide a safe space for victims of sexual abuse, gender-based violence, child abuse and domestic violence. This is where victims receive emotional support, information and get referred to support groups such as LifeLine Ekurhuleni.

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“Our services are free to everyone who needs them. “We host numerous awareness campaigns to inform the public about our services and  availability. “The VFR unit is available from Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day. “Social workers and social auxiliary workers are available Monday to Friday,” she added. She said one of their biggest challenges is a lack of office space. “We have just relocated from our previous offices and even here the space is not necessarily accommodating for our clients. “We need a proper conducive environment which will cater for our services and the needs of our clients. “Lack of proper infrastructure and equipment makes doing our work a little bit harder,” she explained. For enquires, contributions and donations, contact Nyathi on 081 461 6532. Follow us on: