Patch/Helderberg South Africa

PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre, aims to support all child victims of sexual abuse in the Helderberg and strives to prevent the incidence of this horrific crime committed against innocent children.

We believe that every child victim of sexual abuse is entitled to immediate crisis intervention, follow up HIV/STI testing, free professional therapy in his/her home language at a facility close to the child victim's home, and preparation for the court case. We also believe that a holistic prevention strategy is an important element in our fight against child abuse. Therefore, we are running prevention programs on sexual abuse as well as an interactive life skills program for the youth

Please visit the website for more information: www.patch-helderberg.com

My friend from primary school Marieke has been working for
PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre in South Africa, please read her story:

"My name is Marieke Bootsma. Since April 2007 I have been part of a passionate team called PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre in Somerset West, South Africa.

While running a HIV/Life Skills program in the townships as part of PATCH prevention strategy, I am faced with the tremendous need for PATCH services on a daily basis. Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime still taking place on a large scale in South Africa. Last year alone (April 08/March 09), 444 child victims of sexual abuse were referred to PATCH. These new referrals are however only the tip of the ice berg as a lot of victims are made to believe that it is better to keep 'the secret' for various reasons. Through our prevention programs we aim to break the silence surrounding abuse and encourage children to disclose 'their secret' as PATCH is here for them.

PATCH is the only organisation in our area that offers support, to child victims of sexual abuse, free of charge and is therefore indispensable for our children in the community. At PATCH children receive the professional assistance they deserve to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse. Furthermore, professional therapy for victims is the key in breaking the vicious cycle of sexual abuse. PATCH is a place where children find healing and hope for a better future, for themselves and their country. Since PATCH was founded in 1993, the organisation has established wonderful partnerships with schools, community leaders, churches and the police. Together we form a pro-active network in our fight against child abuse.   

To be able to continue our fight against child sexual abuse and to offer the children in South Africa a better life, we need your help."