Our Impact
Since its establishment in 1997, Family Support Trust (FST) has made a lasting impact in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across Zimbabwe. Through its network of survivor-friendly clinics, community programmes, and strategic partnerships, FST has provided free, compassionate, and life-changing support to thousands of survivors—while promoting awareness, prevention, and justice.
The organisation’s holistic approach ensures that every survivor receives the care, protection, and empowerment they deserve, while entire communities benefit from prevention and advocacy efforts that challenge harmful norms and promote equality.
Transforming Lives Through Support
Over the years, FST’s survivor-friendly clinics have become safe havens for individuals and families affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Survivors receive immediate medical attention, counselling, and legal documentation to support their journey toward recovery and justice.
FST’s work goes beyond medical care. It empowers survivors to rebuild their lives, regain confidence, and restore hope. From children and adolescents to adult survivors, thousands have found healing through the organisation’s services.
Building Capacity for a Stronger Response
FST plays a critical role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s SGBV response system. By training frontline professionals such as nurses, doctors, police officers, educators, and social workers, the organisation ensures that survivors across the country encounter skilled, sensitive, and compassionate service providers.
To date, 1,151 nurses and doctors from the Ministry of Health and Child Care have been trained in the management and clinical care of survivors of sexual abuse and child protection. This capacity-building work has strengthened coordination across institutions, improving access to justice and survivor care nationwide.
Reaching Survivors Across Zimbabwe
In the past five years alone, Family Support Trust has supported 33,757 new survivor cases through its clinics and outreach activities. These figures reflect the organisation’s growth and ongoing commitment to expanding access to services for those in need.
Survivors Assisted (New Cases):
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
These numbers represent real stories of courage, resilience, and transformation. Every survivor reached is a step toward a safer and more just society.
Community Empowerment and Prevention
FST’s community engagement initiatives have reached thousands of people through awareness campaigns, school programmes, and dialogues with traditional, religious, and community leaders. By empowering communities with knowledge and tools to prevent abuse, FST is helping to build safer spaces for women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The organisation’s prevention work focuses on:
- Promoting gender equality and positive parenting.
- Engaging men and boys as allies in ending violence.
- Supporting women’s economic empowerment to reduce vulnerability.
- Transforming harmful social and cultural norms that perpetuate abuse.
Partnerships That Multiply Impact
Through collaboration with government ministries, civil society organisations, and international partners such as UNICEF, UNFPA, Médecins du Monde, and Save the Children, FST continues to strengthen Zimbabwe’s collective response to gender-based violence. These partnerships enable FST to reach more survivors, train more professionals, and advocate for lasting policy and social change.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Your support helps FST continue providing free medical care, counselling, and empowerment to survivors across Zimbabwe. Visit our Contact Us page to explore how you can collaborate, support, or partner with us in creating a violence-free society.