In South Africa, a child is raped every three minutes, but almost nine out of every ten cases is never reported.

The aim of our “Beauty for Ashes” rape survivors’ project is to provide medical, psychosocial, material and legal support to survivors of sexual violence; girls and women who often are left physically ravaged and emotionally traumatized for years and do not receive any form of help or assistance.

SoCCO intends realizing its mission through coordinated action between its three main programmes: counselling and support services; training and awareness programmes to civil society organisations, government partners and community groups; and advocating for law reform with partners in the sector.

SoCCO will provide longer-term support by delivering training for survivors in income-generating activities which not only promote independence but also instil self-confidence. A special focus will be placed on reconciling couples, as rape survivors often not only are stigmatized by their community but also are sometimes rejected by their spouse and family. Special care will be given to women who become pregnant as a result of rape.

Our efforts will also be aimed at increasing awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, thereby ending the stigma surrounding both, which can often keep survivors from seeking the help they so urgently need.

SoCCO’s mission is to provide a bridge between survivors and the system so that more survivors report rape. We believe that this will lead to a decrease in the number of incidents and that survivors will experience reduced secondary trauma within the system. Ultimately, this should improve the conviction rate of rapists.

Our work would not be complete without also acting as a bridge between the rape survivor and the community in order to reduce the stigma of rape, to challenge myths and stereotypes about rape, and to increase the support available to survivors.

Until such time as this vision becomes a reality, we will provide the support and empowerment that victims need. We believe that the rape survivor is the key to the successful conviction of the perpetrator of this crime and that her empowerment is based on the provisions of safety, respect, support and the ability to make informed choices as she embarks on this difficult and challenging journey.

Every donation is incredibly valuable to us. Your gift will help us move survivors from victims to victors. It will enable us to help others put back the pieces of their shattered lives.