WARNING: This newsletter contains real-life stories of rape, abuse and violence.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in the newsletter, please do seek help and support.
Read the whole newsletter in is entirety by clicking the button or select the story you want by clicking the images below.
Supporting survivors and challenging the drivers of GBV
Gender inequality and cultural norms that view violence against women as acceptable are two root causes of these shocking statistics. But gender-based violence (GBV) is preventable. With your help, ACET programmes are challenging the drivers of GBV and supporting its survivors. Read more.
Simi’s story
Girls with a disability are four times more likely to have experienced rape than their peers with no chronic disability. Vulnerable girls like Simi. Read more.
Noeline’s story
“You cannot have HIV in the community and live peacefully. You will always get people who are afraid to talk to you and insult you. Life before the Crossroads Support Group was stressful." KwaZulu-Natal Province has the highest HIV burden – this is where Crossroads works with ladies like Noeline. Here, Noeline tells her story.
Anenyasha’s story
Sex work for Zimbabwean women like Anenyasha is difficult and dangerous. The risk of violence for sex workers is great. As many as 75% of female sex workers are assaulted or abused at least once in their lifetimes. Anenyasha tells her story.
Simbisai’s story
“A friend of mine introduced me to the Nehemiah Project after she saw the abuse I was experiencing. I got vocational training and counselling from the project, and they helped me start a new life and move away from my abusive marriage." Simbisai shares her story.
Nadiya’s story
"I was raised by my mother and my siblings’ dad (not my dad). He sexually harassed me. He molested me, insulted me a lot, grabbed my private parts. So, the topic of sex in general is very painful for me." Nadiya shares how ACET Ukraine has helped her heal.
Keeping children safe
Hand in hand with safeguarding measures, Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is so important in helping keep children safe from abuse – and we are passionate about teachers being equipped and confident in delivering RSHE topics. We also believe that this education needs to start early in primary school – delivered in an age-appropriate way. Find out more.
A record year
We ended the 2023/2024 year with 278 members in the Esteem network — resulting in a record year for us. Together, the network reached 82,066 young people with Esteem RSE lessons. Read more.