Introduction The Teddy Bear Foundation (TBF) is a non-profit organization that has been working to support children and families affected by abuse since 1986. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that abused children are protected and rehabilitated. The organisation provides therapy, counselling, assistance, love, comfort, safety and ongoing support to children who have been abused. The TBF does not only work with children, but with parents and communities empowering them with knowledge and skills to help put an end to abuse. The organization also works with schools to provide education to the learners and training to the teachers to prevent any abuse that may happen in their everyday lives.

In South Africa, child abuse and GBV is and has been an ongoing problem. As an NPO, our concern is not only to support children and families affected by abuse but also to promote: “CHILD ABUSE NO MORE”. Our vision is that children will not be abused anymore, but where they are being abused, we want to provide efficient and professional services that effectively promote their healing and stop any further abuse. This translates into a mission to minimize any secondary harm to children and their families.

Over 35 years, the TBF has grown into a unique and fully fledged holistic service for abused children and their families, which includes:  

• Forensic medical examinations;
• Forensic assessments;
• Counselling;
• Psychological testing;
• SPARC (Support Programme for Abuse Reactive Children) a diversion programme for youth sexual offenders.