Friendly Haven offers hope

ABOUT 30 residents of the Okahandja Park informal settlement recently attended a workshop aimed at raising awareness on domestic violence.

Facilitated by The Friendly Haven and the Hope Initiative Project, the event was sponsored by the Germany Development Service (DED) and Bread for the World (BfdW). The Friendly Haven, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September, provides shelter for abused women and their children.It aims to empower women and provide specialised support to them and their children.The shelter accommodates up to 18 people, providing them with 24-hour safety for up to three weeks.Last year it gave shelter to 127 women and children.It is managed by a committee of volunteers, governed by a board and supported by various businesses and welfare organisations.Social workers and the Police Women and Child Protection Unit refer abuse victims to the shelter.The Friendly Haven holds meetings with communities under the theme “no one deserves to be abused”.”For the victim of domestic violence, it is crucial to know that she has a place where she can go to, that an alternative accommodation is provided if she decides to open a case against her abusers,” says Veronika Theron, a board member of Friendly Haven.Statistics show that one in five Namibian women are in abusive relationships.Of these, 60 per cent will not seek help.More than 700 rape cases are reported to the Namibian Police each year, but experts believe that only one in 20 rape cases are reported.The Friendly Haven, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September, provides shelter for abused women and their children.It aims to empower women and provide specialised support to them and their children.The shelter accommodates up to 18 people, providing them with 24-hour safety for up to three weeks.Last year it gave shelter to 127 women and children.It is managed by a committee of volunteers, governed by a board and supported by various businesses and welfare organisations.Social workers and the Police Women and Child Protection Unit refer abuse victims to the shelter.The Friendly Haven holds meetings with communities under the theme “no one deserves to be abused”.”For the victim of domestic violence, it is crucial to know that she has a place where she can go to, that an alternative accommodation is provided if she decides to open a case against her abusers,” says Veronika Theron, a board member of Friendly Haven.Statistics show that one in five Namibian women are in abusive relationships.Of these, 60 per cent will not seek help.More than 700 rape cases are reported to the Namibian Police each year, but experts believe that only one in 20 rape cases are reported.