Healing and rebuilding through holistic support

After being brutally abused by her partner, Naledi* sought assistance from Ilitha Labantu’s clinical department. At the initial consultation, she presented severe symptoms including memory loss, recurring head pain and significant emotional distress as she recounted the abuse. She was also assisted in opening a criminal case against the perpetrator and began attending court proceedings.

Despite her trauma, Naledi remained committed to attending 
counselling sessions, accompanied by her son who had witnessed the incident and also received psychosocial support. Over time, she showed remarkable emotional progress, gaining confidence to speak about her experiences with greater strength and composure. In a powerful step toward healing and rebuilding her life, Naledi started volunteering at an elderly care home, providing support and care to others in her community.

Naledi’s story reflects the importance of sustained, holistic survivor support - encompassing psychosocial care, legal assistance, and support for affected family members - in helping survivors and their families move from trauma to healing and renewed purpose.

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*Pseudonym used to protect survivor’s identity

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A Victory for Survivor Centred Justice

On 26 August 2025, the Wynberg Sexual Offences Court convicted a perpetrator of rape and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment, marking an important moment of justice and accountability for a minor survivor supported by Ilitha Labantu. Beyond the legal outcome, the conviction affirmed the courage of a young survivor who chose to speak out and highlighted the importance of sustained, survivor-centred support throughout the justice process. 

The case originated in 2023, when Ilitha Labantu began supporting the minor after she was raped by a perpetrator over the age of 50 and a criminal case was opened. Through ongoing advocacy, consistent follow-up, and strategic engagement with key justice stakeholders, the organisation contributed to ensuring that the matter progressed 
through the criminal justice system to finalisation.

This outcome reflects the value of coordinated legal support, 
survivor-centred advocacy, and persistent engagement in helping ensure that cases of gender-based violence are 
not only reported, but actively pursued through to conviction and sentencing.

Restoring safety and protection for migrant survivors

Jeanette* had been living in an abusive and violent marriage. When she managed to escape her partner, she discovered that her asylum visa had been revoked during the period she was fleeing the abuse. The loss of 
documentation placed her at immediate risk of arrest, detention, and further victimisation, and threatened her access to essential services, employment, and stability for her three children and elderly mother. 

Ilitha Labantu intervened by providing urgent support, including facilitating immediate engagement with relevant authorities, documenting the context of the abuse to explain the lapse to the Refugee Office, and supporting her reinstatement into the asylum system. The organisation also assisted in securing updated documentation, reconnecting her to essential services, and obtaining a protection order. This coordinated intervention helped restore safety, stability, and a sense of security for Jeanette and her family.

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*Pseudonym used to protect survivor’s identity