COPESSA

Welcome to COPESSA

COPESSA (Community-based Prevention and Empowerment Strategies in South Africa) is a multiple award-winning community-based organization whose reason for being is the prevention of Violence Against Children (VAC).

For the past 15 years, we have pioneered the use of a holistic Ecological model, for both understanding of the predisposing factors of  VAC and tailor-making programmes that address it.

Consequently, we offer the following mix of strategies and services:

• Creating enabling and supporting environments for children within the home and community- Safe play parks, income-generating projects, parental skills
• Transforming social and cultural norms that condone or normalize violence-community mobilization, community dialogues
• Responsive and supportive services promoting healing from abuse- Counselling, medical assessments, appropriate referrals.

COPESSA is currently facing possible closure due to a lack of financial resources. We have launched a SAVE COPESSA campaign to help make the organization sustainable.