North West - The North West Department of Health and Social Development is to establish a victim empowerment centre in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district.
The centre will give victims of crime, violence and abuse enhanced access to care and strengthen the department's protection services, said and Social Development MEC Rebecca Kasienyane.
Tabling her budget on Tuesday, the MEC said the centre formed part of the department's holistic approach towards victim empowerment and bringing services to the people of the province.
The department also intended to strengthen the functionality of victim empowerment forums to ensure integration and coordinated services to the victims.
Two One Stop Services Centres where basic services are rendered to the public are in the process of being established.
The first one is based in Maquassi hills and was donated by Suid Wes to the department in 23 Sept 2008. The building has been renovated and a management plan for the centre has been developed.
The MEC said that in the current financial year, the Maquassi Hill Multipurpose Centre would be strengthened by being allocated more resources.
"The second, the Naledi One Stop Centre, is still under construction," Ms Kasienyane said.
She said the department was also funding non-government organisations (NGOs) which care for and protect victims of crime, violence and abuse. These NGOs include Mothutlung Networks against Domestic Violence, the Grace Help Centre, the Madikwe Crisis Centre, the Kosh Crisis Centre and the Ventersdorp Crisis Centre.
Ms Kasienyane said four reference groups would also be established in the current financial year to improve family relationships in order to create a healthy-minded society.
"We will also facilitate development and implementation of programmes enhancing parenting skills, a strategy for provision of the families' services will be strengthened.
"We will strengthen access to therapeutic and family preservation services, and further undertake the Ethical Leadership Advocacy campaigns focusing on the youth and it will be rolled out to district level.
