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Organization	Lawyers Against Abuse
Region	South Africa
Website	Website
Facebook	Facebook
Twitter	@Twitter
ProjectLeader	Lindsay Henson

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Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) provides free legal services and therapy to victims of gender-based violence (GBV) including sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse. LvA also works closely with local police and courts to ensure that the laws are enforced and that victims are treated with dignity and respect when seeking justice. Lastly, LvA works to educate and empower communities with information about their legal rights and remedies in cases of GBV.

Challenge

Violence against women and children is an epidemic in South Africa. In the community of Diepsloot, where LvA works, rates of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse are staggeringly high. In a recent survey, 78.8% of community members identified domestic violence and sexual violence as the two most common form of violence in the community. Furthermore, many women lack meaningful access to legal relief and often suffer secondary trauma when seeking justice through the police and court

Long-Term Impact

This project will provide hope, healing and justice to hundreds of sexual and domestic violence victims, thus breaking the cycle of abuse and freeing survivors to move on with their lives. LvA's innovative community-based model involves direct client support, community education and awareness-raising, as well as ongoing engagement with state actors. LvA believes that by changing attitudes, we can also change behavior, and ultimately transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities.