PATCH / Helderberg Child Abuse Centre

PATCH / Helderberg Child Abuse Centre was established in 1992 as a non-profit organisation and is directed by voluntary community members serving as a Board of Directors. Due to the high incidence of child sexual abuse, it was decided to change the focus of the organisation in 2000 to specialise in addressing this scourge. At this time, Child Welfare was established in the Helderberg and incorporated all other abuse-related cases, leaving PATCH to deal exclusively in child sexual abuse cases.

PATCH has six offices in the Helderberg Basin, forming part of the Cape Metropole, where assessments and therapy is offered to child victims of sexual abuse. This is done by qualified social workers and counsellors who reside in the community served by PATCH.

PATCH also has a 24-hour crisis centre at the local Government hospital, where children are supported by means of the hospital’s medico-legal examination team in cases of rape.

PATCH have staff members who conduct essential awareness and prevention programmes at schools in the Helderberg. The focus of these programmes is to encourage children to come forward and report any incidents of sexual abuse.

PATCH aims to support all child victims of sexual abuse in the Helderberg and strives to prevent incidences of this despicable crime.