A Nelson Mandela Bay woman has dedicated her life to turning pain into purpose.
As director and one of the founding members of the Port Elizabeth Rape Crisis Centre Trust, Berenice Jacobs has spent more than 30 years ensuring that survivors of sexual violence are not left to suffer in silence.
Jacobs’ lifelong dedication to empowering survivors has earned her recognition as the winner of the gender-based violence category of The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards, in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.
What began in 1992 as a small act of courage has grown into a powerful movement of hope, healing and dignity.
Today, through her leadership, the centre supports hundreds of survivors every year and has become a beacon of compassion and resilience in the fight against gender-based violence.
“The centre was started by five women who were concerned about the high rates of unreported rape cases,” she said.
“At the time, violence in general was prioritised, not gender-based violence.
“We decided to volunteer our time to helping victims of rape and abuse.
“Our aim was to provide sexual violence victims with psychological help and counselling and provide awareness because that is one of the many ways we can make a change in our communities.”
Over the years, the centre has worked closely with the department of health to ensure survivors have access to essential services.
These include supporting organisations such as the Thuthuzela Care Centre, and making services easily accessible at Livingstone Hospital and Dora Nginza Hospital.
The centre now assists more than 800 survivors annually, including women and children, offering them not only professional health care, but also the reassurance that they are not alone.
Jacobs emphasised that one of their most important missions had been providing clinical and gender-based violence services for sex workers, a group often marginalised and left without protection.
“We have worked hard to secure funding for HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis treatment and other related health services.
“We are committed to empowering survivors and sex workers and making sure they receive access to life-saving health care, and the dignity they deserve.”
Behind the success of the centre and the realisation of Jacob’s vision is a strong team of 40 women who have volunteered their time and energy to helping survivors across the metro.
Jacobs said the changes in the lives of the women they supported motivated her to keep going.
“I am a social worker by profession and I understand how emotionally and mentally taxing this job can be,” she said.
“Listening to the many traumatising stories can be hard, but during the last seven years it has become easier because we have more staff and that means the work we do has become a shared responsibility.
“We also have debriefing sessions with psychologists so that we can release the stress.”
Her message to survivors is one of courage and hope.
“Remaining silent will have long-term effects.
“Don’t blame yourself, and don’t be ashamed.
“Even if you won’t report it officially, at least talk to someone about your ordeal.
“Seek professional help.”
Jacobs will be celebrated alongside other category winners during a glitzy honorary gala awards ceremony on September 19 at the Sun Boardwalk Convention Centre.
For any queries or to book a spot at the gala awards, please contact The Herald marketing manager, Berna Ulay-Walters, on ulayb@theherald.co.za.
The event sponsors are: Co-title sponsors: Nelson Mandela University; Gold sponsor: Standard Bank; Silver Sponsor: Spar; Bronze sponsor: Continental Tyre SA; Support partners: Vodacom, Three Peaks Wine and JTC Decor Events, Capsicum Culinary Studio; and venue sponsors: Sun Boardwalk.
The Herald
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