SA & international partners pledge to Increase Services for Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

We closed off with Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt - Managing Director of the Foundation for Professional Development or FPD. Dr Wolvaardt was speaking to us about South African and International partners pledging to increase services for survivors of sexual and gender based violence. The Foundation for Professional Development’s mission is to ensure the availability of skilled professionals, managers and auxillary workers who will be able to deliver a service to the public that is affordable, evidence based and congruent with international best practice. AIDS and Gender Based Violence are signature initiatives of FPD. Last week Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development - Mr Jeff Radebe launched the Increasing Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault Programme, at the Phoenix Thuthuzela Care Centre in KwaZulu Natal. The programme funded by USAID and the M.A.C AIDS Fund brings together local and international partners aimed at addressing the current pandemic of sexual and gender based violence affecting the country by supporting the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA) of the National Prosecuting Authority in achieving its objectives such as Increasing public awareness of the Thuthuzela Care Centres and Expanding and improving services of TCC’s through education, training, research and infrastructure support. For more information about the Foundation for Professional Development please visit www.foundation.co.za