A four-year-old girl has been killed in Katlehong.<\/p>\n
It is tragic and unspeakable.<\/p>
But for the Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre, it is nothing new — and therein lies the real tragedy.<\/p>\n
Ekupholeni is a counselling centre operating out of zozos and containers on the grounds of the Natalspruit Hospital in Katlehong.<\/p>
The organisation is in charge of psychosocial counselling at the next door Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Crisis Centre which sees dozens of victims of child abuse, sexual abuse and rape on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
Counsellors at Ekupholeni see about 1 000 new cases of sexual assault and rape each year.<\/p>\n
About two thirds of these cases are children.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of these children are extremely young; either in pre-school or primary school.<\/p>\n
The organisation’s therapy group for pre-school children, who have been victims of sexual abuse and\/or rape, has 20 children – and is bigger than it ever has been throughout the organisation’s nearly 20 years of service to the community.<\/p>\n
Staff at the centre said that the scourge of rape is becoming a crisis in the communities of Katlehong, Thokoza, Vosloorus and the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
Whereas before counsellors dealt with the psychological repercussions of rape, now they are also dealing with incredible associated violence.<\/p>\n
What the dedicated staff are doing at Ekupholeni is no small task.<\/p>\n
Their aim is to help these children and their caregivers put their lives back together.<\/p>\n
This means that a once-off therapy session and a teddy bear, is simply not enough.<\/p>\n
The staff compliment is made up of highly professional and qualified personnel, including clinical psychologists and social workers.<\/p>\n
Some of the social auxiliary workers and lay counsellors offering support throughout the therapeutic process have 20 years’ experience in this field.<\/p>\n
In order to provide the necessary long-term intervention required for genuine healing, the organisation needs financial assistance.<\/p>\n
For more information about Ekupholeni or to support the organisation, call 011 648-9820, visit www.ekupholeni.org or email ekufunding@icon.co.za.<\/p>\n
Ekupholeni is a registered non-profit organisation and public benefit organisation with ability to issue 18a tax benefit certificates for all donations.<\/p>\n