Awareness made the country conscious of the crisis. It has not yet made the system answer for it.
A South African foundation
This foundation was built on the innate fear of living as a woman in South Africa.
We are holding the institutions responsible for failing women.
Indigo Haddington Founder, with my mother
What we do
We hold them accountable.
Indigo Girl Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation working on gender-based violence in South Africa. We are a pro bono legal team, and we do not only examine the systemic failures of the institutions meant to protect the women and children of this country. We hold them accountable for them.
What we cannot do
We cannot take on your case.
- We cannot take on your case individually, and we will not pretend otherwise.
- Sharing your story does not start legal proceedings and does not make anyone your lawyer.
- We cannot promise your experience will form part of any future case.
- We cannot go against your consent. Nothing you share is ever used without it.
What we are doing
We are building the case.
- A pro bono team of legal professionals, already assembled and working on it now.
- A support community behind them, bringing in the resources the work needs.
- Work aimed at state institutions and those responsible for not keeping our women safe.
- Self-defence seminars and legal clinics, in preparation.
Be part of this.
However you can contribute, there is a place for you on this team.
If it happened to you
You do not have to tell us anything. You do not have to share anything with us at all. When you are ready, and only then, there is a secure place to do it.
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.
Join the WhatsApp community →Lawyers and advocates
If you know how to hold people
Counsellors, psychologists, social workers, and women who have carried others through this. The rest of the work does harm without you.
Join the WhatsApp community →Counselling and support
Right now
If you need help today.
We are not the ones who can reach you tonight. 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.
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 9762Mon to Thu 09:00–16:30, Fri 09:00–15:30. isiXhosa 021 361 9085 · Afrikaans 021 633 9229 · WhatsApp 083 222 5164.
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.