East Rand Famsa supports 16 Days of Activism

Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (Famsa) East Rand encourages victims of abuse to make use of their services.

This year’s annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, aimed at challenging South Africans to denounce violence against women and children, is held from November 25 to December 10.

As part of the commemoration, Famsa highlighted the plight of abuse faced by many families in the East Rand.

The organisation, situated at the old town hall building at the Boksburg Civic Centre, assisted about 88 families, including abused victims, since the national lockdown was instituted in March.

Famsa offers services such as marriage counselling, relationship counselling, family counselling, divorce counselling, trauma debriefing, parenting skills, anger management, grief counselling and counselling for domestic violence victims.

Lazarus Mashiloane, Famsa director, highlighted that the National Development Agency (NDA) is currently funding their Victim Empowerment Programme in the communities of Ramaphosa and Reiger Park. The programme supports victims of violence, including the LGBQTIA community.

“We have trained 13 volunteers in these two communities who are going to assist us in carrying out the programmes.The programme further aims to strengthen families through education and awareness campaigns to conscientise families on gender- based violence and when to seek help to break the cycle of violence. We also provide counselling to families and individuals with serious emotional and relationship problems to help them find healthy ways of coping,” Mashiloane said.

Mashiloane said social workers see clients on appointments; clients can set up appointments by calling the office on 011 892 4272.

All walk-in clients are also attended to by social auxiliary workers who then refer them to social workers.

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