Reeva Steenkamp foundation to help victims of domestic violence

Reeva Steenkamp
Reeva Steenkamp
Slain model Reeva Steenkamp’s passion for educating and empowering victims of domestic violence and abuse will continue with the launch of a foundation in her name.

Education is expected to be the key objective when the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation launches next month in Port Elizabeth.

Striving to be “Reeva’s voice”‚ attorney and spokesperson Tania Koen says the aim is to continue her work in educating and empowering victims of domestic violence and abuse.

The foundation also plans to provide a bursary to a law student who wishes to qualify as an attorney specialising in family law.

“Donations are welcome as a bursary will be given to a law student(s) – to qualify as an attorney who wants to specialise in family law and who shall‚ after qualifying‚ be available to victims of abuse for legal advice and assistance on a voluntary basis‚” Koen says.

Koen‚ who represents June and Barry Steenkamp‚ said in a statement last week — when the news broke that the state would appeal the “shockingly too lenient” six-year sentence imposed on Oscar Pistorius — that Reeva’s parents were focusing their energy on the upcoming media launch of the foundation on August 19

“We are concentrating on education at the moment‚ with the long-term goal of having a safe haven‚” Koen said.

The launch is set to take place at Sun International’s The Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on the day of what would have been the slain model’s 33rd birthday.

According to Koen‚ a ‘Reeva Pack’ – a one-stop domestic violence education pack — will be revealed on the evening of the launch.

“The intention is to make the Reeva Pack freely available at hospitals‚ police stations‚ places of public transport‚ and any public or private institutions.

“The public can either donate money for this purpose or buy these packs (which will then be sent to them) for distribution‚” she said.

While the daily running of the foundation will be by Koen and Steenkamp’s cousin Kim Martin‚ trustees of the foundation include: June Steenkamp‚ attorney and director of BDLS Attorneys Craig de Lange‚ Jacqui Mofokeng as well as the mother of Pistorius’ ex-girlfriend Samantha Taylor‚ Trish Taylor.

Koen added that the trustees and members of the foundation aim to achieve the following:

- To educate the world about the abuse of woman and children;

- To educate woman of their self-worth and right to a safe environment;

- To inform victims of abuse of the resources available to them; and

- To empower these woman through education and skills development to become self-supporting. – Tiso Black Star Group Digita

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