‘SA Women Fight Back’ to restore dignity to sexual assault survivors through vital care packs

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Pictured above: SAWFB volunteers, Lizet Coelho and Charlie Bezuidenhout-Hollingsworth

In response to the tragic murder of 29-year-old, Meghan Cremer, the vibrant show-jumper and bakery manager from Cape Town, who was assaulted and murdered in Cape Town in August 2019, Bronwyn Litkie launched Facebook group SA Women Fight Back.

The group, which was founded on 8 August 2019, the day before Women’s Day, began as a safe place for women to share their stories of abuse, seek help and confide in each other, soon grew to nearly a quarter of a million members, putting gender-based violence in the spotlight. 

With the help of remarkable volunteers, the group formalised and established an NPC, to give a voice to the slain, forgotten and silenced women in our society.

Through the stories that we read we came to realise just how many womxn have remained silent and suffered for sometimes decades at the hands of their abuser. Most women had never shared their stories. Gender-Based Violence has been silenced for too long, and we need to lift this veil and let womxn know that they are not alone and that there is always help for them” says group founder, Bronwyn.

Founder of SAWFB, Bronwyn Litkie.

Over 40 000 GBV cases are reported each year in SA

Turning words into action, SA Women Fight Back, collaborates with sister organisations to offer gender-based violence survivors counselling and healing courses after they have experienced trauma, among other helpful initiatives.

This women’s month, the organisation hopes to expand their care pack drive, through a crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy, to help restore dignity to the brave women who come forward to report a sexual assault.

These packs, which cost approximately R100 to put together, including transportation costs, contain underwear, sanitary pads, a pamphlet on where to find help, and other much-needed items to help survivors on their road to rehabilitation. 

Putting up a fight. Lizet Coelho and Charlie Bezuidenhout-Hollingsworth from SAWFB with rape activist, Leilani Kuter (Yellow For Survivors).

 “We currently have relationships with 16 police stations across SA but would like this program to reach all stations with high Gender-Based violence statistics. There are over 40 000 gender-based violence cases reported each year and we would like to be able to supply care packs to every victim.” – says Bronwyn.

With generous support from the public, the organisation has thus far been able to accumulate 250 care packs, which will serve as a life-line to those who need them.

To donate a care package, visit SAWFB’s crowdfunding campaign:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/victim-to-survivor
Alternatively, make a donation via Snapscan:
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/victim-to-survivor

*Recurring donations can be made via BackaBuddy and Snapscan, if you wish to support this project on a monthly basis for a specified amount of time.

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Connect with SA Women Fight Back

SA Women Fight Back is a community of united women who network to bring about legislative change and support for all women and children in South Africa. 

Through non-violent, collaborative engagement, the organisation lobbies to combat gender-based violence and hold government and other authorities accountable for the safety, empowerment, equality, and justice for all.

For more information visit: https://sawomenfightback.com
[Women Only] Join the SAWFB Facebook group here.
Get Help

If you or a loved one has fallen victim to gender-based violence. We encourage you to contact SAWFB to get help.

Create a crowdfunding campaign

South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R250 Million.

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