By Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele

The recently launched non-profit organisation Lawyers Against Abuse (LvA) aims to empower survivors of gender-based violence through free legal advice and assistance.

Patrons of the organisation include Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron and Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Mandisa Maya.

The chairperson of LvA, Professor Bonita Meyersfeld from the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, told De Rebus that LvA took an incremental approach to dealing with gender-based violence: ‘Rather than giving up because the problem of gender-based violence in South Africa seems unmanageable and almost impossible to solve, LvA takes small, targeted steps towards a clear goal; forcing the system to work for individuals. … This includes both legal representation in civil matters, such as domestic violence and victim support, and guidance in criminal matters, allowing [people] to take ownership of their human rights. The vision is that the system will better operate for those it is designed to serve,’ she said.

Professor Meyersfeld added that volunteer lawyers from LvA represent clients through interaction with state institutions, such as the police, hospitals and courts.

LvA aims to provide interventions in the following ways:

• Providing direct and accessible legal advice, assistance and representation to victims of all types of gender-based violence.
• Developing a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach to gender-based violence.
• Understanding the psycho-social elements of gender-based violence.
• Including research, social work, psycho-education and counselling functions into the organisation.
• Developing a close-knit network to ensure survivors obtain the array of services they need.
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of laws.
• Compiling a blueprint for providing services to victims of gender-based violence that will be taken to government to show the exact requirements, costs and steps needed to be taken to ensure that the system works for gender-based violence victims.

Professor Meyersfeld told De Rebus that LvA was launched after she saw the need for a non-profit organisation to provide direct legal services for victims of domestic violence. The idea developed while working with interns at CALS. Professor Meyersfeld developed the idea for a centre where those subjected to such violence could receive professional and accountable legal services. She did extensive academic research in the area and consulted sector leaders before the integrated approach – focusing on law and psychology – was concretised.

LvA currently has an office at CALS but aims to move to Alexandra Township or Diepsloot in Johannesburg.

Attorneys can volunteer to assist the organisation by sending an e-mail to kaymahonde@gmail.com or by sending a message to LvA via its Facebook page. At the time of going to print, LvA had 20 volunteers.

For more information on the organisation or to make a donation:

Phone: 071 280 3521

E-mail: lawyersagainstabuse@gmail.com

Website: www.lawyersagainstabuse.org/

Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele, nomfundo@derebus.org.za

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2013 (April) DR 9.