Social Development
(a) What is the objective of his Department’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Ambas-sador Programme, (b) when was it officially launched, (c)(i) how many GBV ambas-sadors have been recruited to date and (ii) in which areas are they deployed, (d) what are the selection criteria for individuals chosen to serve as GBV ambassadors, (e) what (i) training and (ii) support do GBV ambassadors receive to effectively (aa) raise aware-ness, (bb) provide support and (cc) refer victims to appropriate services, (f) how much funding has been allocated to the GBV Ambassador Programme in the (i) 2023/24 and (ii) 2024/25 financial years and (g) what measurable impact has the programme had in terms of (i) community engagement, (ii) awareness raised and (iii) referrals made for GBV-related services?
- The objective was to strengthen community responses as well as support to GBV survivors and their families by ensuring that every survivor of GBV has access to appropriate and sensitive responses, care, and support. These ambassadors act as a first responder for survivors of GBV.
- 2023
- (i) 613
(ii) Swartland; Delft; Grabouw; Philippi; Heinz Park; Ceres; Central Karoo district; Cape Metro North (Dunoon, Bishop Lavis, Langa, Elsies River, and Fisantekraal); Berg River; Metro South (Manenberg, Heideveld, Lavender Hill, Philippi, Steenberg, and Gugulethu); Metro East (Kraaifontein, Khayelitsha, Eerste River, Mfuleni, and Somerset West); Cape Winelands and Overberg regions (Bonnievale, Ashton, Robertson, McGregor, and Zolani); Oudtshoorn, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Dysselsdorp, and Zoar; Combined Metro South & Metro East - Retreat, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Wynberg, Metro East (Mfuleni and Khayelitsha)
- Willingness from community member to be an ambassador; No criminal record; Vetted against the child protection register
- (i)(ii) Various topics are covered in the training such as:
Understanding GBV; Guiding principles for working with survivors of GBV; Child Protection: Child Survivors of Violence; Personal Development; Emotional Intelligence; Self-esteem and confidence; Communication; Critical Incident Stress and its Management; Post Traumatic Stress and Acute Stress Disorders; Compassion Fatigue; Vicarious Trauma and Cumulative Stress (Burnout); Self-Care Strategies, Resiliency and Support.
bb) Monthly/quarterly capacity building /debriefing sessions with ambassadors
cc) Referral pathways for reporting and assistance by social workers
- (i)(ii) None. We utilise our own goods and services budget to cater for training and use GG vehicles.
- (i) Ambassadors are community members and trusted by the community which increases the numbers or victims reporting GBV. Psychosocial support to victims of GBV increased annually.
(ii) Ambassadors are part of awareness-raising campaigns and marketing of services on a regular basis in communities with DSD staff.
(iii) First responders refer cases to social workers and provide support to victims at trauma rooms in police stations.
