How Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference Sexual violence can take many forms and does not always happen in isolation. There are moments where others may notice that something is not right, but feel unsure about what to do or whether it is their place to step in. This uncertainty is common. Many people […]
Recognising Patterns That Can Escalate into Sexual Violence Stalking is often misunderstood. It is portrayed in films as romance, framed as persistence, or excused as someone who simply “cares too much.” But stalking is not about affection. It is about power, entitlement, and control. For many survivors of sexual violence, stalking forms part of a […]
The Rape Culture Pyramid is a tool used to understand how sexual violence is sustained within society. It shows that violence does not exist in isolation. It is connected to everyday attitudes, behaviours, and systems that shape how we understand gender, power, and consent. At the base of the pyramid is normalisation. This includes sexist […]
Join Rape Crisis for a special screening of the acclaimed South African documentary Dorpie at an evening of insight, reflection and storytelling under the stars at Maynardville Park. As our very first fundraiser, this event will be dedicated to raising awareness and strengthening community through the power of art in support of our mission to […]
Edith’s Journey as a Volunteer Counsellor For Edith Medell, being a volunteer counsellor at Rape Crisis is not just about listening. It is about holding space for stories that carry both immense pain and incredible strength. Every survivor she meets teaches her something new about courage, resilience, and the quiet power of healing. “When someone […]
21 Years of Dedication at Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust When Nazma Hendricks walked into Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust in 2004 as a newly appointed Counselling Coordinator, she had just completed her internship at the Student Counselling Centre at the University of the Western Cape. She didn’t yet know the full reach or structure […]
A Spotlight on Mazeeda Karani, Child Care and Protection Social Worker at Rape Crisis Every day, Mazeeda Karani carries stories that many find too painful to imagine—stories woven with harm, silence, resilience, and survival. Now in her fourth year with Rape Crisis, she has been a steady and compassionate presence, serving as the Child Care […]
Download PDF
Download PDF
The following piece is a first-hand account of sexual abuse written by a courageous survivor in her own words. Parts of this letter may be triggering to some – reader discretion is advised. If you would like to speak to a Rape Crisis counsellor, please contact our 24 helpline: 021 447 9762. If you can’t […]