PEOPLE'S EDUCATION,
ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELLING FOR EMPOWERMENT
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Background of PEACE:
The PEACE Trust was created to assist people overcome the negative impact that organised violence, including war, has had on the lives of thousands of Namibians. Our society has over the last years witnessed a steady increase in suicides and violent crimes, some of which may be attributed to unresolved psychosocial trauma. The Trust set up a PEACE Centre in Windhoek to address the consequences of organised violence in a practical and sustainable way.
It has become evident that trauma due to organised violence and other types of trauma are often intertwined. Consequently, the focus of PEACE has now expanded to include assisting people overcome the negative impact of all forms of violence and other events that may result in trauma.
PEACE’s purpose is to ensure that people affected by violence and other traumatic events have increased access to psycho-social services and that there is an increased understanding of the impact of trauma. This is achieved through:
1) Increased decentralised support and involvement in trauma intervention through other service providers and affected communities
This involves training other service providers and the development of community-based interventions in the prevention and treatment of traumatic stress.
2) Facilitating access to psychosocial therapy for all trauma victims.
The provision of counselling and therapeutic interventions is achieved through the establishment of a professional trauma referral network.
3) Increased public awareness on the impact of trauma and the benefits of intervention
PEACE staff are involved with Katutura Community Radio (KCR) and make a regular contribution, Talk it out, to “The Big Issue” magazine.
4) Improving existing knowledge pertaining to trauma
Research forms an integral part of all our activities; it enables us to devise appropriate interventions and to keep adjusting our activities, ensuring relevance. PEACE is in the process of developing a Resource Centre where members of the public can access information on trauma.
