Going beyond the hashtag

It’s collecting instant oats as part of its Go Beyond the # initiative to ensure rape victims have something to eat while they’re taking post exposure prophylaxis.

This medication is used to minimise the risk of rape survivors contracting HIV, but many people do not have food and this leads to them stopping with the medication.

Founder and director of Community Cohesion, Bronwyn Moore, said: “It is devastating to see people leave knowing that they cannot afford the food they need to take their PEP. We had to so something about that.”

The non-profit company’s head office is in Hout Bay and it works in Hout Bay, Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town and Woodstock. 

Ms Moore recently featured in the Sentinel News for her community efforts and founding the organisation, (“Bronwyn cares for victims of trauma,” Sentinel News, August 30).

The 16 Days campaign was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute back in 1991, and it runs annually from November 25 (International Day of No Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

But Ms Moore said those who work with trauma victims throughout the year view 16 Days through “cynical eyes”. “What’s this 16 days of no violence against women and children? It should be 365 days of no violence against anyone. It is a jarring concept to dictate 16 days to a national shame.”

It would take real commitment from all stakeholders, at national, provincial and local government level, to get to grips with the pandemic of gender-based violence, femicide and violence in the country, she said.

The National Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Strategic plan, 2020 to 2030, is set to outline a co-ordinated national response to the crisis, and Ms Moore said its drafters had given assurances that “accountability teams” would make sure “people do their jobs”.

But in the meantime, Ms Moore, said the public could do something tangible to help rape victims by donating instant oats.

Several drop-off locations have been created around Hout Bay, and pamphlets are being distributed to let people know about the campaign.

You can also support Community Cohesion’s ongoing campaign on

Back-a-Buddy (www.backabuddy.co.za/gobeyond). “There will always be rape survivors, not just in these 16 days,” said Ms Moore.

Email bronwyn@
communitycohesion.co.za to organise your own collection point.