General Information

Business Hours

Monday - Friday
09:00 am - 17:00 pm

Empowering communities and breaking the cycle of abuse.

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Background...

COPESSA was founded to address the ubiquity of violence against women and children in the Protea Glen community. Following the brutal assault of a child in 2000, a group of women joined together to form the iSililo campaign – which translates to a women’s cry in isiZulu – and following several consultative iindabas, COPESSA’s was formed. 

Our initial focus was on violence against children (VAC) but has since evolved to include women. This holistic approach was necessitated by the intersection of VAC and violence against women (VAW), which we confirmed through research conducted in the community in 2019. 

We prevent VAC and VAW by using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘INSPIRE’ and ‘RESPECT’ Frameworks. 

Our Mission

We prevent VAC and VAW by:

  • Mobilising communities
  • Creating supportive environments for women & children, both within their homes & the general community
  • Promoting social and behaviour change
  • Giving psycho-social support to survivors of violence,
  • Engaging in and promoting community participatory research.

Our Vision

To be the leaders in community-driven prevention strategies of violence against children (VAC) and gender-based violence (GBV), especially violence against women (VAW) across the African continent. 

To assist COPESSA in achieving our mission and vision, donate to the organisation here.