Social Development
- What (a) support does his department offer to the existing safe homes for abused women, (b) is the total number of safe homes in the province and (c) is the status of each safe house;
- whether the safe homes are able to accommodate the increasing number of abused women; if not, why not;
- whether any skills programmes are offered at these safe homes; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answered by Hon Londt.
1a. The Department of Social Development currently funds 25 shelters in the Western Cape. The Department contributes towards the day-to-day running of the shelters, funding of social worker and social auxiliary worker posts (depending on the size of the shelter), salaries of three housemothers per shelter, security and OHS needs, as well as a contribution towards skills development for women accessing the shelter service in order to assist them to become economically independent. Six shelters operate as emergency shelters where women and children can access immediate safety for up to two weeks. 19 Shelters operate as longer-term shelters and can accommodate women and their children for up to a maximum of 4 months. Two shelters also have second stage shelter options where women and children are accommodated for up to 1 year.
1b. Below is a summary of the number of shelters funded in each region of the Western Cape.
Regions | Number of shelters |
West Coast | 6 |
Cape Winelands | 3 |
Eden Karoo | 6 |
Metro North | 1 |
Metro South | 8 |
Metro East | 1 |
2.
Of the 25 shelters funded by the Department, six were newly established and funded by the Department during the past 5 years. In the 2023/2024 Financial year 2120 women and their children accessed shelter services. There is a great need for safe accommodation for women and children, and budget permitting the Department will continue to expand its shelter footprint.
The Department sends out communication to key stakeholders every week to indicate bed availability.
3. All longer-term shelters are required to have skills development programmes. Economic independence is critical to break the cycle of violence. There is a range of skills development courses offered by shelters that include computer skills, home based care, barista training, entrepreneurial skills, business development skills, manicure and pedicure courses and security officer courses.
