Corner Stone Woman

Introduction

Cornerstone Woman (CSW) is a non-profit organisation that was established by a group of women and men passionate about helping families overcome the effects of violence and trauma and establishing a route to recovery for the family unit. We believe our services will fulfil an increasing need within society, where status and social embarrassment preclude women from approaching traditional relief channels, presuming their situation will largely be misunderstood.

Our mission is to provide women with the ability to change their story to an empowered, successful one whilst upholding the organisation’s principles and beliefs. Our vision is to change the world by restoring family values. We value providing solutions in an honest, compassionate, and discrete way, allowing them to change their family’s story from tragedy to triumph.

Cornerstone Woman was born from the need to see families restored and healed in response to the prevalence of Gender Based Violence in all communities. From 2016, the need for intervention grew into a full-time service offering that provides comprehensive counselling, psychosocial and legal support to victims of abuse and trauma, most specifically women. We have to date; provided ongoing counselling and psychosocial support services to over 300 women through our collaborative partnerships and extended our impact as we identified the need for legal aid and support services for the victims of Home-Based Abuse, which included individual support from a legal representative to assist with maintenance disputes, case management, divorce proceedings, Children’s Court representation and settlement agreements. Access to legal services is not readily available and our comprehensive registration process ensured that we are able accurately identify the needs of these victims of abuse and support them with access to quality legal representation and services.

The CSW Model

The prevalence of Home-Based Violence, and more specifically, increase in femicide in South Africa is a matter that requires attention on the highest level. Hardly a day passes without a headline in some newspaper about another woman killed, with the regular inclusion of children as well. The family unit has been decimated as the cultural and economic impact continues to create a fatherless culture where young boys are growing up without solid father figures and women are expected to submit, conform, and tolerate societal and cultural beliefs around their gender and inequality. Most victims are unable to afford the high fees of legal services and access to counselling is limited for those without the financial means to afford private counsellors by creating a safe and accessible service offering for those who are at risk or being abused, with the inclusion of the abuser. As important as these services are to the victims, they cycle of abuse will continue for the next casualty if the abuser is not included in the intervention. Apart from criminal intent and only if practical and safe, the perpetrator should also have access to counselling and psychosocial services with the intention to rehabilitate and prevent them from continuing their series of abuse.

Partner with CSW

As a Non-Profit Company, we invite you to support the work we do through a personal, corporate and/ or collaborative partnership. All funds are directed towards the upliftment of vulnerable women, children, and families to overcome trauma and restore holistically. We are registered with SARS (18A) and can offer Tax Certificates for donations received. BEE Points may also be issued according to qualifying requirements. Our team work on the ground and donations or sponsorship of mobile phones, branded motor vehicles and other equipment, e.g., Laptops are needed to continue the impact and achieve our vision of restoring individuals and transforming families. Donations can be made to: