uMhlanga resident collects care packs for sexual assault survivors

WITH cases of sexual assault and rape increasing across South Africa during the lockdown period, uMhlanga resident, Isabella Moran is collecting various items to create rape comfort packs for the Jes Foord Foundation.

She is collecting donations of sanitary pads, tissues, shampoo, conditioner, underwear, body lotion, toothpaste and tooth brushes.

Moran will use the items to put together care packs for rape survivors.

“With everything going on at the moment – with the rise in rape cases and gender-based violence cases over the lockdown period – this is a nice initiative for other women to get involved in. It’s not costly to donate these items and it can make a big difference in someone’s life,” she said.

 

Moran said she is creating care packs for women and children.

“I am also collecting teddy bears and pencils for the care packs I am making for children,” she said.

Trish Gillespie, project manager of the Jes Foord Foundation said they pack 400 rape comfort bags every month.

“We always appreciate the support of wonderful initiatives like the one Isabella has launched. These bags are delivered to our Rape Crisis Centres and Thuthuzela Centres in our province to support a victim when they need it the most. If someone has been sexually assaulted they should not bath, but get themselves to a Thuthuzela Centre so that they can receive the necessary medical attention within the first 72 hours,” she added.

 

Jes Foord, founder of the foundation, said: “The Jes Foord Foundation comfort bag is given to a victim to help them on their journey of becoming a survivor. We also offer free trauma counselling for anyone who had been sexually assaulted.”

 

Items can be dropped off at 10 Tara Crescent in uMhlanga between 9am and 4pm or at 40 Newport Avenue in Glenashley.

 

Moran will deliver the packs to the Jess Foord Foundation, to support their work.

 

Contact Moran via isabellahagemann13@gmail.com or the Jess Foord Foundation via admin@jff.org.za.

 

To find the nearest Rape Crisis Centre call 080 042 8428.

 

 

 

 

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