A South African foundation
This foundation was built on the innate fear of living as a woman in South Africa.
Awareness made the country conscious of the crisis. It has not yet made the system answer for it.
We are working to hold the state accountable for the systemic failures that leave women unprotected.
What we do
We hold them accountable.
Indigo Girl Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation in South Africa. We are a pro bono team of legal professionals, supported by volunteers. We investigate the systemic failures of the state institutions meant to protect women and children, and we hold those institutions accountable.
What we are doing
We are building a case against the state.
- Investigating how state institutions have failed the women they exist to protect.
- A pro bono team of legal professionals, already working on it.
- Volunteers and supporters bringing in the time, skills and resources the case needs.
- Legal information clinics on rights and where to get help. These are not individual representation.
Separately from the legal work, we are preparing self-defence seminars.
What we cannot do
We cannot take on individual cases.
- Our work is one case against the system, not many cases for individuals, and we will not pretend otherwise.
- Sharing your story does not start legal proceedings and does not make anyone your legal representative.
- We cannot promise that your experience will form part of any future case.
- We cannot share anything without your consent.
- Please do not send dockets, case numbers, medical records or photographs.
Be part of this.
However you can contribute, there is a place for you in this movement.
If it happened to you
When you are ready, and only then, there is a secure place to share your story.
Share my story →Survivors and those affected
If you are a legal professional
If you are willing to give your time to this case without charge, we want to hear from you. The team is already working, and there is room for more.
Register with Indigo Girl Foundation as a legal professional →Lawyers and advocates · or join the WhatsApp community
If you want to stand with us
However you can assist, be it your time, your ear, your skills, or translation into your language. Counsellors and social workers are part of this, and so is everyone else who wants to help.
Tell us how you can help →Supporters · or join the WhatsApp community
Right now
If you need help today.
We are not the ones who can reach you right now. These are. Call them, or open their site to find your nearest centre.
TEARS Foundation
Free and confidential. Counselling and crisis support, anywhere in the country, any hour of the day or night.
0800 083 277Or dial *134*7355# from any phone, even without airtime. It will find the help nearest to you. WhatsApp 066 435 3108 if a call is not safe.
Thuthuzela Care Centre
One-stop centres based at hospitals and clinics across the country, built around the victim rather than the process, to reduce the harm of going through the system.
Find your nearest centreLegal Aid South Africa
The statutory body that exists so that people who cannot afford a lawyer still get one. A means test applies.
0800 110 110Weekdays 07:00 to 19:00. Or send a Please Call Me to 079 835 7179.
ProBono.Org
Matches people who cannot pay with attorneys who will act for free. Over 600 volunteer practitioners across the country.
011 339 6080Johannesburg. Durban 031 301 6178 · Cape Town 087 470 0721 · info@probono.org.za
POWA
Counselling, shelter, legal services and advocacy for abused women. They have been doing this since 1979.
powa.co.zaRape Crisis Western Cape
Free confidential counselling for rape survivors, in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans.
021 447 9762They list this line as 24 hours. Counselling hours are
Mon to Thu 09:00–16:30, Fri 09:00–15:30.
isiXhosa 021 361 9085 · Afrikaans 021 633 9229 ·
WhatsApp 083 222 5164.
Walk in: Observatory 021 447 1467 · Athlone 021 684 1180 ·
Khayelitsha 021 361 9228.
If you are ready to share your story with us.
What you share helps build the case. Your personal details are never published, and nothing is used without your consent. Anything you give us will be handled under the Protection of Personal Information Act.