TEARS Foundation is a South African non-profit organisation founded in 2012 by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) survivor, Mara Glennie, to ensure no victim of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), sexual assault or child abuse is ever told to “come back tomorrow.”
Operating as a Level 1 B-BBEE entity, we provide free, confidential and survivor-centred support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, bridging the gaps left by overstretched public services.
Over more than a decade, TEARS Foundation has grown from an emergency helpline into a holistic support network that guides survivors through every stage of their recovery journey.
TEARS Foundations walks the healing journey with survivors.
Trained Hope Centre Agents formulate and provide personalised action plans that are tailored to the specific needs of the client. Our dedicated team offers:
Medical advice & guidance
Counselling services in multiple formats (online, in-person, telephonically)
Legal advice & guidance
Police follow ups
Armed response services
Connecting survivors to safe shelters
In-depth multidisciplinary guidance
Our Speak Up youth programme delivers 23 data-free animated videos in four languages, demystifying GBV and related topics such as depression and drink spiking.
The newly launched TEARS Foundation Training Academy equips first responders, corporates and community leaders with survivor-centred skills, laws and tools to handle GBV cases sensitively and effectively.
In addition to all this TEARS Foundation has other auxiliary projects such as our Hope Bags, packed with items to restore dignity and offer comfort to survivors.
We also engage in awareness campaigns and programmes, speaking at school and universities, educating adults and children about GBV and how it effects lives.
Our award-winning USSD helpline (*134*7355#) and toll-free number 08000 TEARS (83277) offer immediate access to survivors of GBV, sexual assault and child abuse.
Whether via telephone, USSD, WhatsApp, our website, email or social media, our multi-channel services ensure that hope and healing is always within reach.
