16 Day of Activism: Reach out for help with Lifeline
Through their gender-based-violence programme, Lifeline is stationed at government hospitals and SAPS stations to assist victims reporting abuse.
‘UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls’. This is the cry of this year’s campaign for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which runs from November 25 until December 16. Among the local organisations working to end GBV is Lifeline Durban.
NOW in its 53rd year of service, Lifeline Durban continues to offer support to the Durban community. The volunteer-run organisation works to provide readily available counselling and growth programmes.
This month, Lifeline Durban updated their mission statement – to strive for a mentally and emotionally healthy South Africa. Director of Lifeline Durban Pravisha Dhanapalan explained that the new organisational mission is to offer mental and emotional health services within the culture of Human Rights, through programmes that are preventative and responsive. To this end, Lifeline Durban offers psychosocial services to victims of domestic abuse, gender-based violence and rape.
“Through our GBV programme, Lifeline Durban social workers are stationed at every government hospital in KZN as well as 19 police stations in Ugu District Municipality, eThekwini Municipality and iLembe District Municipality. This means that victims of abuse can speak with a social worker or social auxiliary worker trained to provide trauma debriefing and ongoing psychosocial services first and foremost when they arrive at a Thuthuzela Care centre at the hospital, or Victim Friendly centre at the police station,” explained Dhanapalan.
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The social worker is there to assist the victim through the process and offer emotional support along the way. Lifeline social workers are available at the following SAPS in the Durban area: Cato Manor, Bellair, Sydenham, Newlands East, Verulam, Phoenix, Kwa Dabeka, Marian hill, Inanda, Ntuzuma, Kwa Mashu E section, Umlazi BB section.
“All our social workers and social auxiliary workers have LifeLine uniforms/shirts and name badges,” said Dhanapalan.
This adds to several initiatives at Lifeline Durban.
“Our core business is our 24/7 crisis line. We have a national helpline for telephonic counselling as well as in-person counselling – both walk-in or pre-booked sessions. We also offer training courses for those who would like to become a counsellor,” explained Dhanapalan.
Signs of abuse
Abusive behaviour comes in many forms. Dhanapalan shared these red flags and signs to watch out for.
- Some of the toxic behavioural traits in an abusive person are public shaming and harassment, humiliation, extreme jealousy, possessiveness and controlling behaviour.
- A victim of abuse may become withdrawn, anxious, depressed or feel insecure. They may have low self-esteem, unexplained changes in behaviour or personality, and become isolated, with restricted contact with family and friends.
- Physical signs include: bruises or cuts on the victim
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What to do if you need help
Dhanapalan offered the following steps to follow:
- Talk to someone you trust – a friend or family member or work colleague.
- Know what the signs of abuse are, and once you recognise this, know you are not to be blamed.
- Get medical assistance, dependent on the nature of the abuse, report the incident to the police, and get a protection order where needed.
- Do a quick risk assessment and have a safety/protection plan in place.
Contact Lifeline Durban
Lifeline Durban offices are located at 38 Adrain Road in Windermere. Call the office at 031 303 1344 to book a face-to-face counselling session or online session. For telephonic counselling, call the 24/7 Crisis Line: 031 312 2323, National Line: 0861 322 322 or email: adminteam@lifelinedurban.org.za. Visit the website: www.lifelinedurban.org.za.
