Shukumisa Campaign

About Shukumisa

Shukumisa — meaning "make it stand" in isiZulu — is a coalition of over 60 civil society organisations across South Africa working to end sexual violence. Founded in 2008, Shukumisa has a vision of a South Africa where adults and children are free from sexual violence, and where legislation, policy, and the criminal justice system effectively protect and support survivors. The coalition's secretariat is hosted by the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust.

The name reflects the coalition's purpose: to make South Africa stand up and respond effectively to sexual violence.

Who Is Shukumisa?

Shukumisa's member organisations include leading GBV services providers, research bodies, legal clinics, LGBTQ+ rights organisations, child protection organisations, and academic institutions from across all nine provinces. Members include Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, Sonke Gender Justice, SWEAT, The Triangle Project, The Child Witness Institute, Lifeline Vaal, Women on Farms, TLAC, and over 50 others.

What Shukumisa Does

Shukumisa works across three focus areas:

Strengthening Law and Policy — Shukumisa monitors and advocates for well-drafted, properly resourced legislation covering sexual violence. They make Parliamentary submissions, engage with the Department of Justice, and advocate for alignment between South Africa's legal frameworks and the best interests of adult and child survivors.

Strengthening the Criminal Justice System — Shukumisa tracks implementation of sexual violence laws, monitors Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), advocates for victim-centred policing and prosecution, and compiles evidence on systemic failures in the CJS response to rape.

Strengthening the Non-Profit GBV Sector — Shukumisa facilitates joint advocacy, capacity building, and accountability monitoring across the civil society GBV sector, ensuring organisations can sustain quality services and engage effectively with government.

For Survivors

While Shukumisa does not provide direct counselling or crisis services, their website at shukumisa.org.za includes: - A dedicated "Are You a Survivor?" section with guidance on getting help, knowing your rights, and how to report rape. - A network directory of member organisations across all nine provinces. - Plain-language resources on the sexual offences legal framework and survivor rights.

Survivors seeking immediate help should contact a member organisation directly. Organisations and professionals seeking to understand the national GBV landscape or join the coalition can contact Shukumisa through the coordinator.