Assistance for Sexual Violence Survivors in Congo

More Information About this Project

Project Needs and Beneficiaries

Suffering from amed conflict since 1994, the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have born the brunt of the war. The DRC has seen some of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world committed by armed men. The national judicial system is rebuilding and it is rare that perpetrators of rape are brought to justice. Women who are raped often face stigmitazation by their communities and families. Synergy works with women, communities and local authorities to assist survivors.

Activities

This project has three aspects: 1) Provide micro-grants to sexual violence survivors. 2) Provide legal counsel to survivors. 3) Community education seminars on civic rights and duties

Funding Information

This project has been retired and is no longer accepting donations.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Why this Project is Important

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will provide micro-grants for sexual violence survivors, enabling them to be financially secure and pursue justice on their behalf. Communities will know their rights and advocate for the rights of survivors.

Project Message

I am a sexual violence survivor and Synergy trained me as a counselor to help other survivors. Without Synergy I don't know where I would be today, they supported me through everything.
- Bahati, Synergy counselor

Who is Running This Project

Contact

Justine Bihamba,
Coordinator
Av. Walikale, No. 143
Goma,North Kivu -
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
+243995484965
Email:

Organisation

Where this Project is Located

Country

This project is located in Congo, Democratic Republic of the and can also be found under Human Rights.

For more information about Congo, Democratic Republic of the, read the Human Development Report on Congo, Democratic Republic of the or the Wikipedia entry for Congo, Democratic Republic of the.

When this Project was Updated

Last Updated

This project was last updated on October 03, 2011.

Date Added to GlobalGiving

This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on June 30, 2010.

Latest Update from the Field

SFVS Update: Justice for Christine

By Harper McConnell - williamsworks employee, March 29, 2011 03:06 PM

SFVS prosecutes legal cases in support of women who were sexually abused and educates communities about the new constitution and laws that were passed in 2006. Currently, SFVS is working with other non-profits and the government to pass a law that would prosecute perpetrators of atrocities during the war in Congo.

SFVS helps women like Christine, who were sexually abused and can identify the perpetrator. Christine was going to the field one day to harvest her beans when she was raped by a group of armed men. She had seen several of them before and believed that they had a disagreement with her husband. She was raped by three men and they left her in the field. Her daughter found her and her husband took her to a SFVS counselor. She decided to prosecute her case with the assistance of SFVS and two of the men were arrested and are now on trial.

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