Tshepong Victim Empowerment Centre

About Tshepong Victim Empowerment Centre

Tshepong Victim Empowerment Centre is a government-operated victim empowerment facility funded and overseen by the Free State Department of Social Development. It is one of nine shelters for victims of crime and violence that the Department has established across the Free State province. Tshepong is based in Bloemfontein, next to Pelonomi Hospital in the Mangaung Metro, positioning it to receive referrals from Pelonomi — a major public hospital serving the Mangaung, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu catchment population.

The Centre is explicitly referenced by the Free State DSD as one of the facilities providing family reconstruction services for survivors of domestic violence — working alongside organisations like Elizabeth Ross to support victims when other interventions have already been attempted or failed.

Services

As a provincially-funded victim empowerment centre, Tshepong's services typically include:

• Shelter and temporary safe accommodation — providing a safe physical environment for survivors of domestic violence and crime who cannot safely return home.
• Trauma counselling and debriefing — psychological first response and ongoing support for survivors of violent crime and abuse.
• Psychosocial support and case management — including referrals to SAPS, courts, health services, and specialist social support.
• Support groups — facilitated peer support for survivors in a structured group setting.
• Family reconstruction services — working to rebuild and stabilise families affected by violence, particularly where children are involved.
• Victim empowerment — educating survivors about their rights, available services, and navigating the criminal justice system.

Important Note on the Name

The name "Tshepong" is also shared by Tshepong District Hospital in Thaba Nchu (64km from Bloemfontein), which has its own Thuthuzela Care Centre for sexual assault survivors. These are entirely separate facilities. Survivors in the Bloemfontein/Mangaung area seeking immediate help should contact the Tshepong Victim Empowerment Centre directly on 051 522 4199. Survivors in the Thaba Nchu/Botshabelo area should be directed to the Thaba Nchu hospital facilities.

Oversight

The Centre operates under the Free State Department of Social Development, which manages the province's Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP). For referrals, queries, or escalation, the Free State DSD VEP directorate can be reached at the department's provincial offices.