About Trauma Support SA
Why Trauma Support Matters
Without effective support, trauma can lead to long‑term distress and disconnection. Survivors may struggle with fear, anxiety, or hopelessness. With the right care, however, they can regain dignity, resilience, and hope.
Trauma Support SA exists to ensure that every community has access to trauma‑informed care.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: “To empower communities to heal and thrive by making trauma support accessible to all.“
THE NEED FOR TRAUMA INFORMED COMMUNITIES IS GREAT
“Imagine, a victim being assisted by a well trained volunteer at a police station and then referred to a reputable healthcare professional. Imagine police officers educated about the effects of their work and then being willing to ask for help. Imagine….a country recognizing that many of the problems they face are not only poverty, but the effects of cumulative trauma from the past fifty years.”
The Story Behind Trauma Support SA
With over 23 years in the victim empowerment field, I’ve witnessed firsthand the resilience of South Africans affected by trauma. The vision for a national Trauma Support Organization began whilst at a previous organization I had founded – the iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre where I was director of the iThemba Rape Crisis Centre until 2011-2012. During this period, we provided trauma support, counselling and therapeutic assistance, but most importantly iThemba had a medico-legal facility that conducted the sexual assault evidence collection examination whilst providing the necessary post-exposure prophylaxis and medication free of charge. The commitment and passion of the staff and volunteers contributed to help provided to close on 3500 sexual assault cases, if not more. Our per annum average was equal to 1.3% of the National Reported Rape Statistic. This work highlighted the scarcity of mental health care professionals skilled in treating traumatic stress, the deficit of volunteers trained in Psychological First Aid and communities who are Trauma Informed.
Vision statement
To empower, support and assist survivors of violence and sexual trauma through the process of healing and reconciliation in our community by ensuring that all South Africans have access to effective, research-based Trauma Support Services.
Trauma Support SA is a registered Non Profit Company 2013/042781/08 – Registered Non Profit Organization 181-187 NPO
We commit to:
Incorporate knowledge about trauma prevalence, impact, and recovery—in all aspects of our service delivery and practice. To Facilitate healing, recovery, empowerment by offering survivors Safety – Trust – Choice
To emphasize collaboration with Survivors and Care Workers throughout our system by offering volunteers emotional and workplace safety combined with staff development plans that empower and equip whilst being trustworthy when engaging with staff.