Durban - Jes Foord is a survivor of a gang rape which her father was forced to watch.
She was 21 when she was attacked and, after her experience, opened the Jes Foord Foundation in 2008, to help other victims of rape on their healing journey to become survivors. Foord understood that after getting clean on the outside, survivors needed to heal on the inside. Therefore the foundation offered free professional counselling services.
She is now married and has twins. This year she was named as one of the 21 icons in South Africa for 2015.
She writes what 16 Days of Activism means to her:
“It is a period in the year when the focus is on awareness and taking a stand against violence towards women and children. Over the years I have seen the public involvement increase but it is still not nearly where it should be, we need more people to get involved for change to take place.
For me, and my team, it is 16 days where we try to make as much “noise” as possible. It is our time to speak out as much as possible, to partner with other organisations including the police to make a collective stand.
It is a time, when we can paint the picture of the reality of rape in our country, as it is still unfortunately often a topic not spoken about and many people do not even know the extent to which it is taking place. 16 days of activism for me, means a time to be heard and when people are willing to listen.
The Jes Foord Foundation will be driving its Handbag Project during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The aim is to pack and deliver 2 628 bags during this time, as this is the number of sexual assaults reported during these 16 days.
Each packed bag costs the foundation R150.
The foundation relies on financial donations to ensure that they can continue to deliver this much-needed support.
The foundation needs help to ensure it continues to do this work and restore lives. They have launched an SMS line: SMS JFF to 42220 and R30 will be donated to the Foundation.
JFF 16 Days Projects:
November 27: Supporting the Hammarsdale police to be part of their programme “Protect Our Children, Protect Our Women”.
December 1: World Aids Day – a presentation about Jes’s inspirational story and candle lighting for rape survivors.
December 2: Awareness talk and debriefing session for the caregivers of Lily of the Valley children home.
December 4: GJ Crooks Trauma Centre in Scottburgh will host its annual party for child survivors of rape/sexual abuse. The foundation sponsors school shoes for the children for next year.
December 6: Silent walk with the SAPS Point police, this walk will take place on Addington Beach at 10am.
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