LifeLine Southern Africa
24-hour crisis intervention service. "Emotional First Aid station". Free, confidential telephone counselling, rape counselling, trauma counselling, Aids counselling, and a range of other services.
National counselling line: 0861-322-322
Counsellors help callers with challenges such as trauma, suicide, and relatioship issues.
Website: www.lifeline.org.za
National Aids helpline: 0800-012-322 and aidshelpline.org.za
For confidential HIV/AIDS information support
Stop Gender Violence helpline: 0800-150-150
National toll-free helpline for survivors, witnesses and perpetrators of gender-based violence.
Childline South Africa
Assistance from trained counsellors for abused children, young people, and their families. Not-for-profit organisation.
24-hour toll-free helpline: 08000 55 555
Information, support and assistance to children and their families. Issues dealt with include physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse, behavioural problems, legal advice and trafficking.
Website: www.childline.org.za
Child Welfare South Africa
For child protection and child care and family development.
Report neglect or abuse of a child:
0861 4 CHILD (24453)
National: (011) 452-4110
E-mail: info
childwelfaresa [dot] org [dot] za
Website: www.childwelfaresa.org.za
Jo'burg Child Welfare Society
Services Johannesburg and the broader community. Offers services to abandoned, abused and neglected children. Also facilitates adoption and foster care, as well as parenting workshops and training services.
Head office: (011) 298-8500
Website: www.jhbchildwelfare.org.za
Police Child Protection Units
The SA Police Service's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit Special police units investigate violent crimes against children and offer specialised services to child victims of crime. There are units around the country.
Emergency number: 10111
Crime Stop: 08600 10111
Report cases of child abuse for police investigation: childprotectsaps [dot] org [dot] za
Website: FCS Unit
People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa)
Gauteng-based organisation offering shelter, counselling and legal support to women in abusive relationships, rape survivors, survivors of incest.
Helpline: 083 765 1235
www.powa.co.za
Stop Gender Abuse
Crisis counselling for women who have been raped or abused, advice and support for people wanting to support women in need of help, legal and other options available for abused women and rape survivors. Run by LifeLine Southern Africa.
Toll-free helpline: 0800 150 150
Speak Out
Rape emergency information, services, advice, links. Non-governmental organisation.
Website: www.speakout.org.za
Alcohol and drug addiction
Alcoholics Anonymous SA
Worldwide fellowship for alcoholics supporting those choosing to be sober. Only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
National helpline: 0861 HELPAA (435 722)
Al-Anon
Al-Anon Family Groups is for the families and friends of problem drinkers, with a special section - Alateen - for children of alchoholics, and a group for adult children of alcoholics.
Helpline: 0861 ALANON (25 26 66)
Main office: (021) 595-4508
E-mail: helpalanon [dot] org [dot] za
Website: www.alanon.org.za
Narcotics Anonymous SA
For recovering drug addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
National 24-hour helpline: 083 900 MY NA (083 900 69 62)
Website: www.na.org.za
SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Sanca provides specialised and affordable prevention and treatment services for alcohol and other drug dependence.
Sanca - Johannesburg: 08611 REHAB (73422) or (011) 673-0400 or sanca-jhb.org.za
Sanca - Western Cape: (021) 945 4080/1 or www.sancawc.co.za
Department of Social Development's Substance Abuse Line Offers support, guidance and help for people addicted to drugs and alcohol as well as their families. Run in partnership with the SA Depression and Anxiety Group.
National toll-free helpline: 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312
SA Depression and Anxiety Group
Suicide crisis line: 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393 (8am - 8pm, seven days a week)
Help line: (011) 262-6396 (8am - 8pm, seven days a week)
E-mail: Zane Wilson (founder) for counselling queries
Website: www.sadac.org
Family and Marriage Association of SA
Famsa supports families through stressful situations: offers counselling and education to strengthen marriage and other relationships in the family. Assists with divorce, mediation, domestic violence, trauma, grief counselling etc. Famsa has 27 offices around the country.
National office: (011) 975-7106/7
E-mail: nationalfamsa [dot] org [dot] za
Website: www.famsa.org.za