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Prudence Mabasa

Protecting survivors from secondary trauma

Prudence Mabasa in Boksburg © Thom Pierce 2023

It’s fair to say that Prudence Mabasa lives her life in service. From the day that she started to work, she has focused her efforts on helping other people.


“I am passionate about victims, I need to be in a place where I can help”


For three years Prudence volunteered at the Brakpan police station in the victim-friendly room. This is a space that is legally required for victims of sexual violence to feel safe and heard in the initial period after the crime is committed. In reality, it does not function unless there is a volunteer present. Prudence took it upon herself to be that person.


At the same time, she was also volunteering as a community chaplain, a similar role, but one where she would be on call to visit those in the immediate aftermath of a crime or incident at home or at the scene of the crime.


“My faith is my drive but it is not a parameter to who I help”


Prudence’s world was thrown upside down after she was raped in 2020. Having cared for others for years she suddenly found herself the victim. A new level of understanding and determination grew out of her own horrific experience. She understood the emptiness, numbness helplessness and anger on a whole different level.


 It was also through her own experience that she understood the secondary trauma of reporting the incident and the fight for justice that then ensues. She could understand why so many people drop their cases after the effort it took just to get her rape kit tested, having initially been told that it was lost.


Prudence now believes that engaging the youth is the solution. She is passionate about creating programs that deal with the behaviours and life circumstances that lead young men to turn to violence. She feels that the youth have been heavily let down by the government and that the lack of opportunities, jobs and education has pushed many of them towards a life of gangsterism and crime.


“A true legend lives out their legacy while they are still here and teaches others to do the same. What better way to love than to serve without expectation of reward.”


As well as a community chaplain Prudence is a youth minister, ACDP media liaison and community development coordinator. She may take on many roles but they all lead to a full life led in the service of others.



CREATED FOR positive activism © 2025

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