False Bay safe house urgently seeks funding to continue supporting victims of abuse

The Safe House, located in the far south, is in danger of closing its doors for its victims of abuse if it can’t raise the necessary funds as soon as possible

Executive Director, Kathy Cronje, said their organisation needed to raise more than R180 000 as soon as possible in order to stay open. These funds will help with operational costs, which include paying for food, water, electricity, training, skills development, transport, care packs, nappies, and medical requirements.

“It is hectic trying to raise funds. We have managed up to now. One of our biggest factors is that we lease the house and land from the City of Cape Town, but they have not given us a lease in the last five years,” she said.

According to Ms Cronje, her organisation’s lease was up until 2021. She said it is hard to secure funding if they do not have a secure lease for their organisation. She said they even sent a letter to make a formal request to purchase the land, and in the interim, while they await an outcome, they are looking for a long-term lease of more than 10 years.

The organisation is home to 15 women and children. Since 2015, they have worked towards offering safe care facilities for abused women and children. They provide counselling, therapy, and psychological support for their clients. They provide skills development that will enable their clients to overcome poverty challenges.

Ms Cronje said they have helped more than 915 clients so far. They have come from areas like Hout Bay, Gugulethu, Eerste River, Capricorn Park, Ocean View, Manenberg, Delft, Bishop Lavis, Masiphumelele, Simon’s Town, Wynberg, Strand, Muizenberg, Khayelitsha, Sea Winds, Steenberg, Parow, Mitchell’s Plain, Belville, Stellenbosch, Strand, Paarl, Retreat, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Bonteheuwel, Athlone, Heideveld, Mfuleni, Woodstock, Langa, Fish Hoek and Lavender Hill. They even see clients from the Eastern Cape. 

Ms Cronje said it will be detrimental to the victims if their organisation must close.

“Gender-based Violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country is estimated to be five times the global average and is forever rising, so we absolutely cannot afford to let this Safe House or any other shelter close,” she said.

This organisation has relied on support from longstanding donors, but it has received further support from the provincial government, which funds its Victim Empowerment Programme(VEP). “Our organisation then has to find the remaining shortfall, which is about R 60 000 per month, hence why we are asking for R180 000 to carry us for the next three months.

Ms Cronje said raising funds is difficult. “People or companies who donate funds to us are generally project-based donations. Not many donors will sponsor operational expenses,” she said.

A former Safe House resident, who asked to stay anonymous, said the organisation was filled with love, compassion, and kindness.

“At that point in my life, I desperately needed a safe place after experiencing physical, verbal, and mental abuse. The Safe House took me in at my weakest moment and reassured me that my children and I would be protected and cared for during an incredibly traumatic time,” she said.

The Echo reached out to the City of Cape Town for a response, which acknowledged receipt of the enquiry, but failed to respond at the time of going to print.

To support The Safe House, call Ms Cronje at 084 420 1122 or email kathy@thesafehouse.org.za