9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: New survey response : d46d8229-03df-4515-8037-35283247f718, SurveyTitle: 1ST/28-9-2024/8:49:23 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:I have read and understood the terms and conditions and agree to continue with the survey., Value:Yes 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Organisation Name, Value:Legal Centre for Gender Based Violence (trading as Lawyers against Abuse (LvA)) 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Project Name, Value:Integrated and community-based response to GBV in Diepsloot: 2024 – 2026 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Project Number, Value:162600 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:The 1st for Women Foundation has two key programmes. Please specify below which programme you will be reporting on:, Value:CommunityBasedResponseProgramme 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Total Reached, Value:425 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:364 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:59 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:2 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:8 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:425 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Does not include community members engaged through GBV Forum events 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(0/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofGBVcasesreported 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(1/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofpeopleaccessingGBV-relatedsupportservices 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(2/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:Numberofpeoplewhoarereferredtootherservices 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(3/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofGBV-relatedprotectionordersappliedfor 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(4/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofGBV-relatedprotectionordersgranted 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(5/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofpeoplechargedforGBV 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(6/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofGBVperpetratorsconvicted 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(7/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:NumberofGBVcaseswithdrawnfromtheCJS 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(8/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:Numberofsurvivorsplacedinshelter 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue(9/10) to add :- questionText:Please select the relevant indicators for this reporting period, Value:Totalreachofbehaviourchangecommunicationmessages 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:320 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:280 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual achieved, Value:163 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:155 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:7 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:1 9/28/2024 9:05:06 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:2 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:163 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Represents the number of new GBV cases reported to LvA. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:551 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:500 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:363 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:330 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:31 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:2 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with disabilities, Value:8 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:363 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:54 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:45 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:12 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:12 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Diasbilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:12 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Assumes only referrals for GBV victims. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:182 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:185 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:115 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:114 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:1 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:2 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:115 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:72 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:65 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:34 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:34 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:34 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Assumes this is the number of Final Protection Orders granted (as opposed to Interim Protection Orders) 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:23 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:25 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:11 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:11 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:11 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Biographic data assumes data of LvA client, not perpetrator. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:4 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:4 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:18 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:15 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:9 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:8 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:1 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:1 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:9 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Assumes that this is the number withdrawn from the CSJ by the victim (as opposed to the State). 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:6 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:10 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:8 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:7 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:8 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Includes all clients placed in alternative accommodation (incl. shelters, independent housing and family/friends). 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Baseline, Value:311 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Target, Value:500 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Actual Achieved, Value:2941 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Female, Value:1614 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Male, Value:1326 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Gender, Value:1 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Persons with Disabilities, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:African, Value:2941 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Coloured, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Indian/Asian, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:White, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Other Race, Value:0 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Additional Comments, Value:Did not have gender breakdown for learners engaged - assumed a 50-50 gender split. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Please provide a list of activities completed using this grant, Value:Legal Services: During the reporting period, LvA provided direct legal services to 237 GBV victims and affected family members. Note that 152 of these were new clients during the reporting period while the remaining clients had first come to LvA in prior periods and continued receiving services. Criminal Case Support LvA provided support in 84 criminal cases of GBV including 53 cases of sexual violence (predominately rape or statutory rape), 27 assault cases, including one case of attempted murder, one case of harassment and three cases of child abuse. For these cases, LvA assisted three clients in making the initial report to the police (one rape case and two cases of child sexual abuse), engaged with the investigating officer 478 times, consulted with the relevant prosecutor 51 times, including attending three pre-trial consultations, and provided court support at 25 trial hearings. LvA also engaged with clients 390 times to keep them updated on case progression. In every case, LvA worked closely with state actors to ensure that GBV laws were properly enforced and that our clients were treated with dignity and respect. There were not any convictions in LvA-supported criminal cases during the reporting period. There were acquittals due to insufficient evidence in two statutory rape cases that LvA had supported for over 5.5 years, respectively. In each case, LvA offered support with an appeal, but the families were not interested in pursuing it. There were 21 clients discharged from LvA’s criminal case support during the reporting period for the following reasons: outcomes were received in two cases, the state withdrew in four cases, nine clients withdrew their matters, one client relocated to Zimbabwe and five clients could not be reached. Protection Order Assistance LvA also assisted 148 clients seeking a protection order during the reporting period, including assisting with 115 new applications, advising on submission and service procedures, engaging with the police for service as needed and preparing clients for their final hearings. LvA also followed up with clients 357 times to learn the outcome of their application and/or final hearings. LvA continues to maintain a full-time help desk at the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court. During the reporting period, 49 clients secured interim protection orders from the court and 37 clients were issued a Notice to Show Cause (reflecting a 100% success rate for clients who submitted their application to court) and 34 clients were granted final protection orders (reflecting a 79% success rate for clients who attended their final hearing). Note that 42 clients did not attend their final hearing and 18 clients formally withdrew their application. Legal Advice Lastly, LvA provided legal advice to 21 clients who ultimately decided not to pursue an available legal remedy at the time for various reasons. However, one client later returned to LvA for assistance with a protection order application. Psychosocial Support: LvA also provided psychosocial support to 202 GBV victims and affected family members during the reporting period. Specifically, LvA facilitated 356 individual therapy and counselling sessions with 132 clients. LvA’s therapists also conducted 34 consultations with caregivers whose children were receiving therapy to discuss progress and any concerns. For clients who were simultaneously pursuing a criminal case, LvA facilitated 37 court preparation or debriefing sessions before and after their trial testimony. In addition, LvA facilitated 46 group therapy sessions for 69 participants divided into the following groups: 7 - 11 years old (co-ed), 12 – 14 years old (males), 15 – 18 years old (females) and adult GBV victims. LvA therapists also provided crisis interventions with five clients which included urgent interventions with suicidal clients and liaising with relevant stakeholders to address safety concerns pertaining to minor clients. For clients in abusive living situations, LvA worked to facilitate shelter placements for one client and assisted seven clients in securing alternative accommodations. LvA also provided additional support for non-offending primary caregivers of our minor clients. For example, LvA facilitated 13 support sessions with five caregivers, 12 group sessions with 29 caregivers in two different cohorts and one psychoeducational workshop series for 17 caregivers. Each of these interventions focused on empowering caregivers to understand the impacts of trauma on their child, strengthen trauma-informed parenting skills so that they can better support their children and how to practice self-care. Lastly, LvA concluded the Life Skills intervention for one cohort in May and started another cohort in September. The intervention consists of eight sessions which cover developing your CV, interviewing skills, basic labour law, starting a small business and self-care practices. In addition, LvA partnered with the Department of Labour to facilitate a workshop for previous Life Skills graduates and other LvA clients on CV development, interview skills and how to identify job opportunities. The workshop was attended by 28 clients. State Actor Engagement: During the reporting period, LvA engaged with officials from Diepsloot SAPS, the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court and the Randburg Magistrates Court in connection with capacity building initiatives and holding state actors accountable in instances of misconduct. For capacity building, LvA facilitated workshops on 22 May for 17 members of the Diepsloot SAPS management team, which included the Station Commander, the VISPOL Commander, and the Detective Branch Commander, and on 3 June for 11 investigating officers. These workshops focused on the topic of collaboration, discussing the benefits and challenges of effective collaboration and identifying resources within Diepsloot that SAPS officials could leverage to better support GBV victims. An LvA social worker also facilitated a wellness session on 16 May for 15 members of the FCS Unit. During the session, officials had an opportunity to raise challenges that they face in their work and were encouraged to explore possible solutions to those challenges. LvA social workers also facilitated a wellness session on 6 June with 19 court officials from the Randburg Magistrates Court including court clerks, intermediaries, interpreters and the court manager. During this session, participants engaged in discussions around challenges faced in their work, support that was needed and self-care. Overall, participants of these sessions found the session very helpful and indicated that they would recommend them to their colleagues. Lastly, LvA’s psychosocial team attended a Women’s Month event at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 30 August where they engaged approximately 50 female court officials including magistrates, prosecutors, clerks and interpreters on identifying the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and burnout and mitigation steps that one can take. With respect to accountability, LvA engaged with the Diepsloot SAPS VISPOL Commander in two instances where a police officer refused to serve an interim protection order. In response, the VISPOL Commander discussed the issue with the charge officers and the relevant shift commanders to resolve it. In another instance, LvA engaged with the Detective Group Commander regarding suspicions of police corruption in a criminal case that had not yet been enrolled at court. LvA also engaged with a court clerk at the Domestic Violence Court who spoke harshly to an LvA client and accused her of wasting the court’s time when she failed to appear for a final hearing in previous application. In response, the court clerk acknowledged her wrongdoing and agreed to apologise to the client at the next trial hearing. LvA also engaged with a Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court magistrate who had repeatedly issued a Notice to Show Cause in instances where an Interim Protection Order should have been issued. After the magistrate explained that, in her experience, complainants often “exaggerated” and utilised protection orders to get money from their partners, the LvA legal officer stressed the legal standard outlined in the Domestic Violence Act and the importance of issuing an Interim Order in cases where the complainant’s safety was at risk. LvA also engaged with officials at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court to address the issue of Magistrates’ failure to issue final protection orders in criminal cases of domestic violence when they grant bail applications in favour of the perpetrators as required by law. The Chief Magistrate requested that LvA send him any such cases where protection orders are not being granted. Lastly, there was one instance during the reporting period where a healthcare worker failed to complete a J88 form for a GBV victims, instead referring her to the hospital. LvA engaged with the Department of Health Social Worker, with whom we have a strong relationship, and she held a meeting with the clinic management, the Regional Chairperson of the Health Forum and the involved clinic staff to resolve the matter. GBV Stakeholders Forum: The Diepsloot GBV Forum met regularly throughout the reporting period for stakeholder workshops, quarterly meetings, awareness raising events and corresponding plenary meetings for each event. LvA continues to play an active role in all Forum initiatives as the Chairperson of the Forum’s leadership committee. The Forum facilitated two events in honour of Child Protection Week with learners at Paradise Primary School. The first event, held on 31 May, involved 1,159 learners and 60 stakeholders, while the second event on 7 June engaged approximately 1,000 learners and 28 stakeholders. At each event, GBV Forum members divided into small groups. Older learners were engaged on topics such as sexual abuse, grooming, consent, and how to report abuse, while younger learners were taught about safe touch, good and bad secrets, and how to respond in different scenarios. In preparation for these events, LvA’s drama therapist facilitated a workshop for Forum members on handling disclosures and providing containment and LvA’s community engagement programme manager developed a facilitation guide for all forum members to follow during the event. The Forum met on 3 June and 12 June to evaluate the events held on 31 May and 7 June, respectively, including sharing their findings from the event, challenges and recommendations for similar future events. The Forum also held three events in August. The first event was a walkabout held on 02 August in Diepsloot Extensions 01, 06 and 10 to raise awareness about human trafficking and child neglect. A total of 323 community members were engaged during the walkabout. Prior to this walkabout, on 01 August, a representative from the Department of Social Development facilitated a capacity-building session on trafficking of persons which covered trafficking processes, transport modes, victim signs, rescue challenges and stakeholders involved in a rescue. The second and third events were collaboration between the GBV Forum and the larger Diepsloot Stakeholders Forum. On 15 August, 32 stakeholder representatives conducted a door-to-door campaign to engage with community members on GBV, raise awareness about available services (including the new forensic services available at OR Tambo Clinic) and invite community members to attend the Community Dialogue event scheduled for the next day. On 16 August, 110 stakeholders held a Community Dialogue event where 159 community members engaged on various topics impacting women such as GBV and access to services, mental health, healthcare and financial literacy. Various stakeholders also set up stalls to inform community members about their services. In addition to these events and the multiple plenary meetings leading up to each event, several Forum members, including LvA, attended meetings and staff briefings which were held in the lead up to the official launch of the post-violence care facility in Diepsloot, which was held on 24 May. In addition, the GBV Forum held its quarterly meeting on 22 August to reflect on the events held in August and discuss the planning process for the upcoming 16 Days of Activism event. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Based on the activities and your overall project, have your objectives for this reporting period been met?, Value:Yes 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Please elaborate on your above response, Value:The primary objective of this project was to increase meaningful access to justice for GBV victims in Diepsloot. This primary objective was then sub-divided into two specific objectives: (1) empower GBV victims to realise available legal rights and remedies through the provision of holistic legal and psychosocial support services; and (2) strengthen the local justice system response to GBV through accountability and capacitation initiatives. With respect to the first specific objective, through a strategic combination of legal and psychosocial support, LvA empowered 218 GBV victims to realise available legal rights and remedies as they pursued either a protection order and/or criminal case against their perpetrator. Eighty-six clients were confirmed to have either received an interim protection order (49) or a Notice to Show Cause (37) from the court and thirty-four clients received final protection orders during the reporting period. Further, through comprehensive psychosocial support provided by LvA’s art therapist and social workers, including individual and group sessions and court preparation and debriefing sessions, clients have been able to foster the determination and resilience needed to pursue an available legal remedy. Lastly, through LvA’s life skills initiative, clients have been able to reduce their economic reliance on perpetrators which places them in a better position to pursue available legal remedies without negative financial ramifications. With respect to the second specific objective, LvA’s monitoring of case progression and state actor behaviour, direct engagement around misconduct and facilitating workshops and wellness sessions with state actors have helped to ensure that state actors respond to GBV cases emanating from Diepsloot efficiently and effectively. This, in turn, will help to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable for their actions. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:What were some of the key project highlights during the reporting period?, Value:Opening of the Post-Violence Care Facility: With support from the 1st for Women Foundation, the post-violence care facility opened at OR Tambo Clinic in May 2024. This facility enables GBV victims and survivours to access critical medical care in their own community and will likely increase the rate of follow ups as clients do not have to incur significant transport cost to travel back to health facilities located far from Diepsloot. Impact of Individual Counselling: From the beginning of the year, LvA began utilising a survey tool to collect data at the beginning, middle and end of their individual counselling treatment plan. On average, LvA clients reported significant improvements across all metrics. For example, clients’ average composite post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores decreased by 62%. Similarly, average composite depression scores decreased by 73% and client’s feelings of shame and guilt decreased by 63%. In addition, clients reported improved coping skills. For example, client’s average composite coping skills scores (which assessed the client’s ability to manage her emotions, set healthy boundaries, access help and support, cope in day-to-day life) increased by 74%. Similarly, client’s average composite score for emotional coping (which assessed the frequency at which the client felt less overwhelmed, less alone and positive about the future) increased by 70%. Clients Completing their Testimony in Criminal Cases: While there haven’t yet been any convictions in LvA-supported criminal cases during the reporting period, we celebrate two minor clients who successfully completed their trial testimony during the reporting period. In one case, an 11-year-old client displayed courage, resilience, and strength as she testified about the sexual abuse she endured. The NPA awarded her a certificate of bravery after she completed her testimony. In another case, the prosecutor and other court staff commented on how well spoken and eloquent the client was during her testimony. These two examples are a testament to the benefits of LvA’s psychosocial support and court preparation and debriefing processes which assist in preparing clients to tell their story confidently from the stand. Collaboration with Diepsloot Stakeholders Forum: As discussed above, the Diepsloot GBV Forum has now formed a strong relationship with the broader Diepsloot Stakeholders Forum as illustrated by the two Forums’ collaboration on joint events during Women’s Month. This collaboration has resulted in access to additional resources for events and increased manpower for awareness campaigns in the community. State Actor Workshops / Sessions: As detailed above, LvA facilitated workshops and/or wellness sessions with members of Diepsloot SAPS, the FCS Unit and Randburg Magistrate Court officials during the reporting period. This fact, in and of itself, is a highlight given the challenges often faced in having state actors agree to make themselves available for such initiatives and is a testament to the strong relationships LvA has built with key state actors servicing the Diepsloot community. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Please provide a success story or case study from this reporting period, Value:In late July, 13-year-old Unathi (name changed) and her mother approached LvA’s helpdesk at the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court for assistance with a protection order against a 17-year-old male classmate, Thabo (name changed), who had been harassing, threatening and even assaulting Unathi for several months. It all started when Unathi refused to ‘date’ him at the beginning of the school year. Thereafter, he would force Unathi to do his school work, slapping or punching her if she refused, regularly wait for her after school, threaten to rape her or to come with his gang for her, coming to her home when her mother was at work and take her pictures from social media and tell his friends that they were dating. It had escalated to the point where Unathi was terrified to go to school and would stay home some days to avoid him. LvA’s legal officer assisted Unathi and her mother to apply for a protection order against Thabo, which was later granted. Unfortunately, even with the protection order in place, Thabo continued to harass Unathi. Thereafter, Unathi’s mother opened a criminal case for a Contravention of a Protection Order. LvA’s legal officer then began following up with the investigating officer assigned to the case for case updates and, importantly, to push for a speedy arrest of the perpetrator. At the same time, the legal officer was working with LvA’s Community Engagement Programme Manager to arrange for a meeting with Unathi’s school to push them to properly address the situation and was also engaging with Section27 to see if there were able to assist in engaging with the school. In a parallel process, Unathi also began seeing LvA’s art therapist for individual therapy sessions. In her initial sessions, Unathi focused on the immense fear, anxiety and powerlessness she felt as a result of the trauma she had experienced and the perpetrator’s continued presence at the school. Over the next several sessions, LvA’s therapist worked with Unathi to process these feelings and reclaim a sense of agency and to be able to express her needs and fears in a way that strengthens her sense of safety and self-worth. At the same time, LvA’s therapist was also working to support Unathi’s mother in her engagements with the Department of Education to have Unathi transferred to another school. The investigating officer eventually arrested the perpetrator in early September under the guard of his parents as he is a minor. Thankfully, ever since the arrest, Unathi has not seen nor heard from the perpetrator and is able to attend school without fear. In her most recent therapy session, Unathi’s body language was visibly relaxed and she portrayed herself in an image completely at peace. LvA continues to closely monitor the ongoing investigation and provide Unathi with therapy. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:What were some of the key significant challenges faced during this reporting period for this project (besides funding)?, Value:Limited Referrals from Post Violence Care Facility: Since the Clinical Forensic Medicine (CFM) Unit opened at OR Tambo clinic in late May 2024, LvA has not received many client referrals for long-term support or legal assistance. LvA’s social workers have engaged several times with the centre manager and social worker based at the CFM to explain LvA’s services and explore areas of collaboration, emphasising the importance of referring clients in need of legal support. However, the social worker based at the CFM has indicated that she will be providing both short- and long-term counselling to children and adults. Ongoing Criminal Case Postponements: One ongoing challenge is repeated postponements in LvA-supported criminal cases and the impact that the postponements have on our clients’ willingness to continue pursuing their cases. In one statutory rape case, the minor client’s father complained about the client missing school to attend trial hearings, indicating that her teachers were also complaining about the many absences. In another statutory rape case, the client’s mother complained about the continuous postponements and the impact on her livelihood. As a domestic worker, her employer does not pay her on days that she does not work. She indicated that she wanted to withdraw the case. LvA’s legal officer inquired whether the court was able to compensate the client’s mother for money she would have earned that day. The court preparation officer indicated that the client’s mother would need to supply an affidavit confirming that the client’s mother was her employee. The reasons for the postponements varied but included the appointment of a new Legal Aid lawyer who needed additional time to familiarise himself with the cases, magistrates or prosecutors on leave, court equipment not working or even one case where the prison system was down so the perpetrator could not be released to attend the trial hearing. Furthermore, with each of these postponements, the next trial date is only set three months later (or longer) due to overcrowded court dockets. Child Exposure to Domestic Violence: Many of LvA’s adult clients report that their children regularly witness the domestic violence in the home. We know that children who witness domestic violence often experience emotional, behavioural and psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression or aggression. In some cases, children get caught in the crossfire and suffer injuries themselves when trying to “protect” their mother. Furthermore, this exposure can negatively affect children’s development, leading to difficulties in school, relationships and long-term well-being. As a result, LvA clients are eager for their child to also receive psychosocial support. State Actor Bias: LvA continues to encounter state actors whose negative and harmful biases prevent GBV victims from accessing legal remedies available to them by law. For example, LvA observed a pattern where a magistrate was issuing a Notice to Show Cause (NTSC) instead of an Interim Protection Order in cases where the facts demonstrated that the client’s safety was at risk. For example, in one case, the perpetrator strangled our client and scratched her with a knife. In another case, the perpetrator would physically and verbally abuse the client in the presence of their 16-month-old baby. When LvA’s legal officer engaged with the magistrate about this concern, the magistrate shared that, in her experience, some women ‘exaggerate’ the extent of their injuries and/or use Interim Protection Orders as means to elicit money from the respondents. The magistrate also indicated that she issues a NTSC in instances where the complainant had applied for a protection order in the past, but did not complete the application process. She also admitted that she was even reluctant to grant Final Protection Orders in certain cases due as a result of these biases. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:What was done to address the aforementioned challenges? (In the instance where the challenges have not been addressed, state the reason and what possible solutions there are), Value:Limited Referrals from Post Violence Care Facility: LvA staff will continue to seek to foster a collaborative referral relationship with staff based at the CFM to ensure that all GBV victims and survivours in Diepsloot receive holistic and long-term support, as needed. Ongoing Criminal Case Postponements: While unfortunately, many of the reasons for postponements are outside of LvA’s control, our team works to engage with the Investigating Officers and/or Prosecutors assigned to the case before the scheduled trial hearing to determine whether the hearing will be postponed and, if so, to notify the client timeously so that they do not have to miss work or school to attend the hearing. In addition, LvA’s legal officer has engaged with our art therapist to encourage her to also engage with the client’s parents when conducting court debriefing sessions to ensure they understand the importance of seeing the criminal case through to completion despite delays. Child Exposure to Domestic Violence: LvA continues to offer art therapy for children who have witnessed domestic violence and provided 32 children with either individual and/or group sessions during the reporting period. Art therapy provides children who witness domestic violence a safe, non-verbal way to express emotions they may struggle to articulate. Through creative expression, they can process trauma, reduce anxiety and build self-esteem. This therapeutic approach also fosters emotional healing and resilience by offering a constructive outlet for their feelings. At the same time, we work with their caregivers to understand the impact of continued exposure and risk of harm to their children and support those who wish to leave abusive environments. State Actor Bias: During the engagement with the magistrate, LvA’s legal officer reiterated the legal standard for granting an Interim Protection Order vs a Notice to Show Cause. She also explained the additional consequences that victims might face if they do not receive an Interim Protection Order, including that some shelters require women to have either a criminal case number or a protection order to be admitted. At the end of the engagement, the magistrate expressed her gratitude to LvA for engaging with her on this point and appreciated the additional insights and perspectives provided. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Have there been any substantial changes or highlights with your organisation since you applied, please let us know, e.g. changes to board or management, awards won, contact details, etc., Value:The following two board members joined LvA’s board of directors during the reporting period: Robyn Farrell and Sheena Swemmer. In addition, there were two changes to the management team – a new Finance Manager was appointed and one of LvA’s clinical social workers was promoted to the psychosocial support programme manager. Lastly, LvA’s Executive Director, Lindsay Henson, will be immigrating at the end of the year and therefore will be leaving LvA. LvA has appointed a seasoned leader, Teresa Yates, to lead the organisation. Teresa has over 30 years of experience in the social justice, gender justice and access to justice sectors including most recently serving as the National Director for ProBono.Org, Deputy Director for the Legal Resources Centre and Programme Coordinator for OxFam’s Gender Justice programme in Tanzania. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:What were some of the key lessons learnt during this period?, Value:One of the key lessons learned during the reporting period was the importance of monitoring the implementation of recent GBV amendments by relevant state actors. There were two instances observed during the reporting period. The first instance was with respect to use of a Safety Monitoring Notice as provided for in the Domestic Violence Amendment Act, which creates an obligation for the police to proactively monitor the safety of an individual at risk of harm. In August, LvA assisted a client to secure a protection order against her abusive ex-boyfriend who was also a police officer at the Diepsloot SAPS. Due to the risk of future harm, LvA’s legal officer advocated for the court to also issue a Safety Monitoring Notice which they did. LvA later learned that this was the first time since the opening of the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court in November 2023 that the court had issued a Safety Monitoring Notice. However, when following up with the client several weeks later, the client indicated that the police has not been checking on her safety as they were meant to. Through further engagements, LvA later learned that the police also were not aware of their obligations with respect to the Safety Monitoring Notice. LvA is now working in collaboration with the Court Supervisor to facilitate brief trainings for Diepsloot SAPS officials on their obligations under a Safety Monitoring Notice, starting next week. The second instance was with respect to the new provision which indicates that the Court should grant a protection order in criminal cases of assault against a domestic partner where the accused is granted bail. LvA observed that this provision was not adhered to in several LvA-supported criminal cases. In response, LvA engaged with several magistrates, including the Chief Magistrate at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, to ascertain the level of awareness of this provision among magistrates. One magistrate indicated that he was only aware of one court that was doing it and indicated that, in his opinion, Randburg Magistrate’s Court would struggle due to the high caseloads. However, when LvA engaged with the Chief Magistrate, he said that the provision was being applied at the Randburg Court and that LvA should contact him directly if we were aware of any cases where magistrates were not complying. Another observation made this year was that, due to the complexity of our client’s trauma which is often further compounded by their own childhood trauma, clients are more comfortable to attend group counselling instead of individual counselling which requires them to focus on just their own trauma. As a result, LvA has now been giving clients the option of transitioning into group counselling immediately after the initial intake, after the completion of the 3rd individual session or at the end of the treatment plan. With this approach, we’ve an increased uptake of group counselling processes with clients really committing to and benefiting from the group process. We’ve also seen clients who are willing to return to individual therapy after having completed the group process as they are now in a better space to engage with their own trauma in a more direct way. Another observation is that clients are often more focused on what they view as their ‘primary need’, which is securing employment, and are less concerned with what they would view as a ‘secondary need’, attending to their trauma and mental health needs. As such, once clients complete the Life Skills intervention and are either able to secure employment or, at a minimum, view their prospects of employment more positively, they are more willing to engage in either the individual or group counselling process. Lastly, with respect to the GBV Forum, LvA learned that it is best to stick with activities agreed upon as part of the Forum’s year plan as set out in the beginning of the year and not be swayed by stakeholders offering resources. In LvA’s experience, such organisations tend to want to change the focus of the Forum’s activities as they are the ones providing the resources. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Have you made any enhancements to the funded programme or other programmes your organisation implements that may be of interest to 1st for Women? Provide details if applicable, Value:LvA recently hired a legal intern to assist at the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Helpdesk two days each week which will free up some of our legal officers’ capacity to follow up on other cases. LvA also hired a full-time Art Therapist in June which has added a lot of value to our Psychosocial Support team as she brings a wealth of experience in supporting children who have experienced abuse. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Have you established any key partnerships that have strengthened your operations/programmes and the impact you have? Provide details if applicable., Value:LvA has established the following new key partnership which have strengthened LvA’s programmes in addition to our existing partnerships with a wide range of civil society organisations and state actors: LvA established strong relationships with the new magistrates appointed at the Diepsloot Domestic Violence Court whereby LvA’s legal officers can engage directly with them to address any challenges and/or seek advice, as needed. Partnership with Diepsloot Safe Hub and SADAG – both NGOs provide LvA with venues to conduct group counselling sessions and life skills sessions. In addition, clients have access to internet and computers at Safe Hub which enables them to immediately practice whatever skills they’ve learned in the Life Skills session. Partnership with the Department of Labour – officials attend specific sessions of the Life Skills intervention to provide practical information on CV writing, interview skills, labour law and how to access vacancies. Partnership with City of Joburg – officials attend specific sessions of the Life Skills intervention to inform clients on how to register their businesses and COJ services provided to small businesses. Collaboration with the Diepsloot Stakeholders Forum as discussed above which increased access to available resources (to the point where the GBV Forum has been able to allocate excess resources to future events) and enabled more community members to be reached during mobilisations. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:What plans do you have for the rest of 2024 that will strengthen your implementation/impact?, Value:As noted above, LvA will begin implementing training for SAPS officials on their responsibilities with respect to the Safety Monitoring Notice during parades for the various shifts which will enable us to reach all officers. LvA will also explore a possible relationship with the Department of Community Safety to assist in situations where LvA is unable to get criminal case updates from SAPS investigating officers. We’ve seen this to be an effective strategy at LvA’s Orange Farm site. Lastly, the GBV Forum will continue to conduct mobilisation initiatives in collaboration with the Diepsloot Stakeholders Forum to community mobilisation to raise awareness of GBV services available in the community. 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Name and Surname, Value:Lindsay Henson 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Contact Number, Value:0631188433 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Email Address, Value:lindsay.henson@lva.org.za 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Name and Surname, Value:Tholang Letebele 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Contact Number, Value:0720311840 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: ResponseValue to add :- questionText:Email Address, Value:tholang.letebele@lva.org.za 9/28/2024 9:05:07 AM - Message: Response Documents : True