A ray of hope for sexual assault survivors

A group of trained advisers in the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Survivor Support Office offer round-the-clock assistance, support and counselling to survivors of rape and sexual assault on campus and in the surrounding areas.

Housed under the umbrella of the Office for Inclusivity and Change, the advisers are trained in basic counselling skills and the short- and long-term physical, psychological and emotional impact of sexual assault and rape. They are also trained to refer individuals who are sexually assaulted or abused to appropriate resources.

Trainer Rashieda Khan, who heads up the Survivor Support Office, and advisers Nuraan Hartley, Angie Ngalonkulu and Gaelle Ramon discuss the need for this service at the university and how they cope with this challenging task.

Contact the 24/7 hotline for sexual assault and rape emergency response on 072 393 7824.

Read more about the Survivor Support office.