WCCC statisitics review for the 1st half of the year 2011

For the 1^st half of the year a total number of 132 clients sought the centre’s support services, including women, children and male clients. Domestic violence continues to be the most common source of support provided by WCCC, although reported cases of child abuse in 2011 have increased as have sexual violence cases including higher incidences of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

It has only been a year and a half since the centre has been established yet WCCC’s statistics reflect the broader society trend in which more people are reporting incidences of violence against women.

The high peak season is noted between the months of Jan- April and slightly decreasing in May-June which is noted as the low peak season. Family obligations impact on the time and availability of women to report, which sees a dip in reporting during the beginning of the school year and also during church events of the year, where women often feel that obligations placed on them peak during this time, which they will priorities these obligations to their family and church obligations before their own welfare.

Clients can be referred from many sources. The majority of clients are referred to WCCC from the Ministry of Police Domestic Violence Unit, the Ministry of Health Hospital referrals and other NGOs and relevant entities, such as district nurses. Clients also come in of their own accord, having heard about WCCC in the media, or by word of mouth – which is collected in our statistics as self clients.

DVU Police referrals, Hospital referrals and Walk in Clients.

Safe house statistics

31 Women and Children have stayed at the safe house in 2011 during the first half of the year. The ‘accompanying children’ category indicates that the children are not clients of the centre - they came with their mother’s who are the clients of the centre. The free, temporary housing at the safe house is only provided by WCCC to those clients who are deemed high risk and in need of a safe place to stay. A comprehensive life skills program is being developed within the safe house to help provide further development for women and children using the centre’s services.

Although the numbers of clients to the centre from January- February 2011 have increased, it is therefore anticipated that the Centre will receive more reported cases and more clients throughout the year.