GEORGE NEWS - There is something incredibly special about women who empower other women. In ending off Women’s Month celebrations, we honour the incredibly brave women at the George Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) who go above and beyond to help transform victims of abuse into survivors.

For Angelique Vezasie, who has been the site coordinator at the George TCC located at the George Hospital for the past 12 years, the most comforting thing about her job is knowing that she has a hand in making survivors feel safe and ensuring that they are not alone every step of their long journey towards recovery and justice.

In celebration of women’s month her message of hope to women suffering from abuse is to make use of the services available and to speak to a professional person who will be able to assist them in making decisions that will help them to walk with dignity into their future.

“I am a survivor myself, I do not only understand the struggles of women, I also feel their pain and disappointment,” says Angelique. As a God-fearing woman, she also encourages victims of abuse to give their battle to God in prayer as He will fight for them.

The other two strong women at George TCC are counsellors Gwen Majoka and Jo-Anne Hardnick.

Gwen initially started at Rape Crisis in 2010 after which she began at Thuthuzela. Gwen feels proud to be able to help others through the work that she does. “I work with new cases daily and once a week I do follow-ups to check in with victims in terms of follow-up visits and observations."

She urges women not to wait until they are seriously injured to report abuse. Gwen’s message of hope to other women is not to keep quiet about abuse and to help spread the word that there is help available.

For Gwen’s colleague, Jo-Anne the most rewarding part about her job is when people say thank you. Jo-Anne started at George TCC about three years ago to assist with follow-up counselling sessions.

The word Thuthuzela means to comfort, and in the words of Jo-Anne, “We are here for anyone who needs to talk or a shoulder to cry on. Always remember, you are not alone."

Services available at George TCC:

* Crises containment, medical forensic examination and evidence collection, counselling, PEP treatment and follow-up, court preparation, referrals, case progress feedback and court updates and awareness events.

* Abuse can be reported to your nearest SAPS station or directly at the Thuthuzela Care Centre. Tel: 044 802 4429 / 4406

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'