Care & Support

Our Services

SWAGAA offers comprehensive counselling services to survivors of abuse, their families and, in some cases, the perpetrators. By focusing on both the physical and emotional needs of survivors, our highly-trained Case Managers take a holistic approach to care. This helps survivors better manage and overcome the impacts of violence. SWAGAA’s holistic approach includes:

  • Counselling services
  • Finding safe shelter
  • Providing dignity packs
  • Providing access to healthcare (including emergency medical care and post-exposure prophylaxis)
  • Working with our Legal Unit to support clients as they navigate the criminal justice system 

Through our Referral Network, we collaborate with the police services, government agencies, healthcare facilities, safe havens and halfway houses and legal practitioners to provide the best care possible.

Counselling for Children

With high instances of child sexual abuse in Eswatini, the availability of specialists to provide care for child survivors is critical, though extremely limited. To help address this problem, SWAGAA has established a Child Counselling Unit, which employs one Case Manager trained in child counselling.

Travelling to remote communities to provide care and support services for abused children can be a challenge. Not only is it difficult to access remote communities, balancing the demand for these services with limited resources is a problem. In addition, finding spaces to provide counselling services for children that are safe and private is also a concern for our Child Counselling Unit.  

Through SWAGAA’s Child Counselling Unit we also support children who interact with the criminal justice system and participate in trials. We work with legal practitioners and magistrates to sensitize them on how to interact with children during court proceedings

Get Help

Dial 9-5-1 to call SWAGAA

SWAGAA’s toll-free help line is for anyone who is seeking assistance for:

  • Reporting a Case
  • Sexual Assault
  • Gender-Based Violence
  • Domestic abuse

We also refer clients to important agencies and provide both short- and long-term counselling services. 

Our toll-free line works from land-line to land-line and is also accessible on cellular phones on the MTN & Eswatini Mobile Networks. 

You can also join our U-Report platform, this is an SMS-based interactive platform for reporting or accessing post GBV services. All SMS are free on the MTN Network:

SMS “SWAGAA” to 8500 to join

Operation Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm
  • Fridays 8:00am to 1:00pm

Counselling Centres

SWAGAA has five counselling centres across the country where survivors of abuse can receive care and support services. 

Manzini Main Office opposite Council of Churches

Monday to Thursday – 8:00am to 4:30pm

Fridays – 8:00am to 1:00pm

Mbabane Government Hospital (OPD)

Monday to Thursday – 9:00am to 3:00pm

 Fridays – 8:00am to 1pm

NB: Site temporarily closed

Hlathikhulu Government Hospital

Mondays & Wednesdays – 9:00am to 3:00pm

Pigg’s Peak Town Board

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays – 9:30am to 3:00pm

Simunye Clinic

Tuesday & Thursday – 8:00am to 4:00pm

Would like to donate a dignity pack?

Dignity packs are provided to clients who come to SWAGAA’s counselling centres after being sexually assaulted or raped. Once all the required medical and forensic exams are complete, survivors are given items to help restore their dignity.

Dignity packs include:

  • sanitary napkins/pads
  • panties/underwear
  • facecloth
  • soap
  • toothbrush
  • toothpaste
  • clothing
  • shoes

After a person experiences a sexual assault or rape, a medical and forensic exam is required. Often referred to as a ‘rape kit’, this exam gathers evidence and helps mitigate any long-term health impacts. For accurate exam results, survivors should avoid the doing the following immediately after an sexual assault or rape incidence: 

  • showering/bathing
  • using the restroom
  • changing clothes
  • cleaning the area

Dignity packs are a first step in the healing process. They help survivors restore their sense of self-worth and respect immediately following a sexual assault.