Healing Haven: A Safe Space for Survivors to Heal, Rebuild, and Seek Justice

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-trauma-recovery-for-femicide-victims 

 

After femicide, the world moves on.

But living victims don’t.

Violence doesn’t end with death.

It lives on in those left behind.

 

At DOHS Cares for Vulnerable Women and Children Foundation, we are constantly confronted with the harsh realities faced by survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and families impacted by femicide. Too often, survivors (especially women and children) are left without safe spaces, adequate support systems, or the freedom to pursue justice without pressure, fear, or interference. 

These children carry trauma and the families lose livelihoods while Justice takes years.

 

Imagine being left behind, by a loved one due to femicide, struggling to cope with the trauma and mental health impacts. In Nigeria, children, siblings, and parents of GBV/ femicide victims struggle with deep psychological trauma and social isolation long after the violence occurs.

 

 

In 2024, we tracked over 150 cases of femicide in Nigeria.

In 2025, we tracked over 200 victims.

 

In just two and half years, we have tracked over 400 victims of femicide in Nigeria.

 

Behind each case are lives permanently altered:

 

● Children who witnessed these violence suffering anxiety, migraines, and trauma.

● Families losing income due to prolonged legal trials in court and trauma.

● Siblings unable to function emotionally or professionally.

● Survivors separated from loved ones due to unsafe living conditions.

 

These impacts are rarely addressed by existing systems in Nigeria.

 

Even more devastating is the growing number of children orphaned by femicide—left behind to navigate trauma, grief, and uncertainty without the care and support they desperately need.

 

 

Healing Haven is our response to this urgent need.

 

What is Healing Haven?

 

Healing Haven is a trauma healing center dedicated to supporting survivors of femicide and GBV; particularly Women and Children who have nowhere else to turn. It is designed as a safe, confidential, and empowering environment where survivors can begin their healing journey while being supported to seek justice on their own terms, free from external influences that may discourage them from speaking up.

This initiative is not just about recovery; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and reclaiming voices. 

 

What Healing Haven Will Offer

Healing Haven is built as a holistic support system that addresses both the emotional and practical needs of survivors:

 

1. Professional Therapy
Access to trauma-informed counseling and psychotherapy delivered by trained professionals, helping survivors process their experiences and begin emotional recovery.

 

2. Healing Circles
Safe, guided spaces for living victims of femicide; women and children left behind after the loss of a loved one to femicide. These circles provide mental health support, shared understanding, and collective healing.

3. Temporary Safe Accommodation
Secure, short-term shelter for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and their children, ensuring immediate safety while longer-term solutions are explored.

 

4. Life Skills & Economic Empowerment
Training programs designed to equip survivors with practical skills, financial literacy, and income-generating opportunities, helping them rebuild independence and stability.

 

5. Peer Support & Community Healing
Structured peer groups and community-based initiatives that foster connection, reduce isolation, and promote long-term healing through shared experiences.

 

Why Healing Haven Matters

Survivors of GBV and families affected by femicide often face silence, stigma, and systemic barriers. Many are pressured to withdraw cases, remain quiet, or return to unsafe environments. Without proper support, the cycle of violence continues.

Healing Haven exists to break that cycle; by providing survivors with the tools, support, and safe environment they need to heal and pursue justice confidently.

 

Be Part of the Healing

Building Healing Haven requires collective action. We invite individuals, partners, and the global community to support this life-changing initiative.

You can contribute to making Healing Haven a reality by supporting our fundraiser: 

l  https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-trauma-recovery-for-femicide-victims

Every contribution brings us one step closer to creating a space where survivors are not just protected, but truly healed and empowered.

Together, we can create a future where no survivor is left without support, and every voice is heard.