What do we do at The Open Door Crisis Care Centre (The Open Door)
Issues of domestic violence and child abuse need no clarification, however, these diabolical acts against humanity leave lives broken, psychologically damaged and with feelings of total hopelessness that frequently lead to suicide.
The Open Door lobbies for advocacy and prevention of secondary abuse on a daily basis, challenging anti-human rights against women and children. The Open Door is a one-stop trauma and crisis centre. We focus our attention on the social issues in our society, offering counseling, social support, and training. Victims of all forms of abuse are accommodated in our registered shelter. This shelter is situated in a quiet suburb with an undisclosed address to ensure the safety of our clients who are frequently at risk from perpetrators.
Areas of Focus
- Domestic Violence
- Child Abuse & Vulnerable Children
- Human Trafficking
- Trauma
The Open Door is committed to 4 pillars of operation
- Prevention – which involves creating awareness, training and educational programmes with a focus on disadvantaged areas.
- Protection of victims in our shelter,
- Prosecution – through the preparation of equipping victims to become effective witnesses in court and
- Partnership with government agencies and recognized NGO’s to lobby for better service provision by state departments and the South African Police Services including prevention of secondary traumatization of victims through poor and insensitive treatment.
The Open Door has registered shelters with the Department of Social Development for women & children and men & boys. These shelters are also accredited to accommodate victims of human trafficking.
History
The Open Door Crisis Care Centre (The Open Door) has been in existence since 1997 and has soundly established itself as a lead organisation working with abused women, vulnerable children and families focusing both on prevention (e.g. training and awareness) and intervention (e.g. counseling and social services.). Over this period The Open Door has counseled thousands of men, women, and children reaching out to not only the individual in crisis but reaching out to the extended family group.
The Open Door has won many Awards for their work in fighting crimes against women and children, as well as taking a stand against human trafficking.
Meet THE TEAM
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Thora Mansfield founded The Open Door Crisis Care Centre in 1997 as a multifaceted, multi-disciplinary “ONE STOP” trauma and counseling centre. Thora is a well-known speaker on many topics including women’s and children’s issues and human trafficking. She has been the lead speaker at International Conferences on Human trafficking and Child labour locally as well as overseas.
Thora has also served on both National and International panels with experts in the field of human trafficking and has appeared on radio and TV She has dedicated her life to lobbying for better service provision for abused women, children at risk and victims of human trafficking.
Recognition
Thora Mansfield and her tireless work for The Open Door have been recognised in the achievement of many awards.