Hearts For Justice – Where Children are Heard and Hearts are Healed

Hearts for Justice was established by two therapists working with children and families in Cape Town, South Africa. Dr Antoinette Beukes is a registered traumatologist and family therapist specializing in child abuse, child sexual abuse and children suffering from complex trauma. Danielle Meintjes is a registered social worker in private practice as well as a qualified play therapist. She does child therapy and gives parental guidance to help parents understand their children’s emotional needs. She is especially known for her work with parents within the foster care, adoption and attachment fields, giving training and talks on these subjects.

Both of these therapists work with extreme cases of trauma on a daily basis. Over the years they have seen that more and more children in need of therapy often lack the necessary funding to receive professional help. Children are referred to them on a weekly basis by NGO’s, schools and the South African courts. Unfortunately the referred families often lack the resources to pay for their children’s therapy and no other recourse is available to them.

The prognosis for children with complex (severe) trauma is that it has a significant, negative impact on their social, cognitive and emotional development. Research indicates that without a resolution of these traumas and receiving the required therapeutic support, there is a high likelihood of these kids becoming involved in criminal or high risk behaviors in future. Gangster and crime-related activities are rife within the greater Cape Town area with kids being exposed to drug abuse, violence, as well sexual, physical and emotional abuse on a daily basis, leading to severe cases of trauma.

It is due to this harsh reality that Hearts For Justice was born - a Non-Profit that will focus on assisting children in need of specialized, intensive therapy related to trauma. The organisation is still in its infant stage and in the process of being registered. But we need help!!!!

There are children being referred for trauma assessment and intervention constantly who come from horrific circumstances. Very few of the designated child protection agencies in Cape Town have the professional capacity to help them and unfortunately there are no finances available to pay for private therapy. Both Dr Beukes and Mrs Meintjes have committed to intervene, assess and provide the necessary therapy to these young children through Hearts For Justice, which is why we are in urgent need of your assistance.

If you would be willing to make a contribution towards the needs of these children, please consider making a financial donation today. If you have any questions about Hearts For Justice, the people involved, or would like to assist in any other way, please feel free to contact us or visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/heartsforjustice/