The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 15 years ago
Last updated 5 years ago
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Interview with Kathleen Dey, Director of The Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust

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It is a sad reality that one in two women in South Africa experience sexual abuse before their eighteenth’s birthday. What makes it worse is the fact that most of the rapes go unreported, and in cases where they are, almost half the perpetrators are not charged in court. The normalization of gender based violence and a culture of acceptance of the problem amongst all South Africans is of great concern. This absurd situation calls for government and civil society organisations to jointly work together to curb this problem. One such organisation which is fighting to end sexual violence against women is Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, a civil society organisation that was established in 1976 to end violence against women in South Africa. Kathleen Dey, the Director of Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust says South Africa is currently battling with the problem of gender based violence because of lack of commitment from key stakeholders. “There is a shortage of service delivery from government and there is no concern for the rights and needs of survivors. One of the biggest challenges facing survivors of gender based violence is the unavailability of psychosocial care for survivors. These challenges create lack of political will to solve the problem of gender based violence in society,” says Dey. Dey says an increase in cases of incest is another major cause of concern in the country. “Incest is an issue not receiving nearly enough attention as well as the lethal intersection between gender based violence, substance abuse, and HIV transmission. There is a serious need for women’s right organisations to form stronger partnerships and work more effectively at holding government accountable when they are underperforming, but also to highlight their successes,” says Dey. Dey adds that there is a need to develop a more collaborative relationship with government to ensure that the issues that affect women, such as gender based violence and rape are noted in the budget and that civil society organisations are provided with sufficient resources to play their part in providing services. Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust is a feminist organisation that is working to support survivors of gender based violence through providing them with information and assistance. The organisation provides a 24 hour counseling service and a court support and preparation service to survivors of gender based violence. The organisation also focuses on awareness rising around gender awareness and gender relations. “Our services are aimed at supporting women to make choices that are right for them and to support them as they move through the healing process. Our organisation has responded to these issues in partnership with many other service based non governmental organisations through advocacy campaigns such as the Shukumisa Campaign, support centres such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres and research into the rights of victims of crime, and the changes that could further these rights,” explains Dey.