1ST FOR WOMEN TEAMS UP WITH THE RAPE CRISIS CAPE TOWN TRUST (RCCT)

In 2009, 1st for Women teamed up with the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust (RCCT), one of South Africa’s oldest and most established organisations working to end violence against women.

The 1st for Women Insurance Trust pledged R1.5 million to assist the RCCT’s various campaigns including the Stop the Bus Project and the Road to Justice Project.

The Stop the Bus Project is held during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. It sees the RCCT travel to different towns within the Western Cape to create awareness of rape and violence against women. Professional staff on the bus then convenes networking meetings to strategise with local role players such as social workers, police officials, prosecutors, medical officials and magistrates. This annual campaign has been running since 2006 and broadcasts it activities internationally via a blog.

The Road to Justice Project is the RCCT’s largest Project and offers support, on site, to rape survivors at police stations, health facilities and courts. The RCCT provides a bridge between the survivor and the system, explaining its complexities and smoothing her path of any obstacles. It also provides a cushion between the survivor and the system by supporting her when the system does not.