Advice Desk for Abused Women(Counselling)

About the Advice Desk for Abused Women

The Advice Desk for Abused Women (also referred to as the Advice Desk for the Abused) is a registered NPO operating from C Block, Nhjoosad Hall, University of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly University of Durban-Westville / UDW), University Road, Westville, Durban. Their contact is Ms Indira Vythilingam, who serves both as a staff member and board member of the organisation.

The University of Durban-Westville (UDW) merged with the University of Natal in 2004 to form the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The Advice Desk has continued operating from the Westville campus of UKZN. Their long association with the university has enabled strong connections with academic researchers in the GBV field — allowing the organisation to blend direct service delivery with research-informed practice.

Services

• Free counselling for abused women and GBV survivors — confidential, trauma-informed counselling to women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, and other forms of abuse.
• Court support and accompaniment — helping survivors navigate the court system and attend legal proceedings with confidence.
• Legal advice and advocacy — guiding survivors on protection orders, maintenance, legal rights, and available remedies.
• GBV awareness workshops — jointly co-facilitating workshops with UKZN academic staff, reaching students, professionals, and community members on GBV causes, responses, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Professional capacity building — contributing to training healthcare workers, social workers, and community practitioners on GBV intervention and trauma counselling approaches.

Academic Partnership

Board members of the Advice Desk include UKZN academics including Dr Lubna Nadvi, creating an unusual model in which research and direct GBV service delivery are deeply integrated. Doctoral candidates conduct GBV research through the organisation's client base, and workshop facilitators include clinicians, researchers, and practitioners — ensuring the service remains evidence-based.

Province Note

Your source data correctly reflects this as a Durban, KwaZulu-Natal organisation. The address "University of Durban-Westville" now corresponds to the UKZN Westville campus.