What We Do
At Family Support Trust (FST), we are committed to preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across Zimbabwe. Our work combines medical care, psychosocial support, community engagement and professional training to create a coordinated, survivor-centred approach. Through our survivor-friendly clinics, outreach programmes and partnerships, we provide free and comprehensive services that promote healing, justice and prevention.
Our focus is twofold: response—supporting survivors of abuse through compassionate care and counselling; and prevention—addressing the root causes of violence through education, awareness and empowerment.
Prevention
FST believes that prevention is key to ending sexual and gender-based violence. Our prevention programmes are designed to raise awareness, change mindsets and strengthen protective community structures. We engage schools, faith-based institutions and community groups to challenge harmful norms and encourage positive behaviours.
Our prevention initiatives include:
- Community-Based Awareness: Educational sessions conducted in schools, churches and community spaces to increase awareness of SGBV and promote reporting.
- Community Dialogues: Collaborating with traditional, religious and community leaders to address cultural and social factors that perpetuate abuse.
- Positive Parenting Sessions: Empowering caregivers with parenting skills that promote protection, respect and emotional well-being for children.
- Men and Boys Engagement: Working with men and boys to promote gender equality, healthy relationships and non-violence.
- SRHR Clubs: Establishing in-school and out-of-school clubs to promote sexual and reproductive health rights among adolescents.
- Economic Empowerment of Women: Supporting women to gain financial independence as a way to reduce vulnerability to abuse.
- Cultural Transformation: Encouraging communities to question and transform social norms that tolerate gender-based violence.
Response
FST provides timely, free and confidential support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence through its network of survivor-friendly clinics and outreach programmes. Our multidisciplinary teams offer integrated medical and psychosocial services, ensuring that survivors receive compassionate care in a safe environment.
Our response initiative includes:
Medical Examinations
Comprehensive assessments for all cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
HIV and STI Testing and Treatment
Immediate access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Pregnancy Testing and Emergency Contraception
Providing reproductive health support and emergency contraception where needed.
Psychosocial Support
Individual, family and group counselling to promote emotional recovery and resilience.
Legal Support
Completion of the medical affidavit used in court to support prosecution and justice processes.
Mobile Clinics
Extending essential medical and counselling services to hard-to-reach and rural communities.
Training of Professionals
Building the capacity of healthcare providers, police officers, educators, and social workers to strengthen survivor care and response mechanisms.
Integrated Approach
FST’s model is built on the principle of survivor-centred care, ensuring that all services—medical, psychosocial, legal and educational—are coordinated to reduce trauma and promote healing. This integrated approach strengthens collaboration among professionals, improves access to justice and helps survivors rebuild their confidence and dignity.
Reaching Communities
In addition to its clinics, Family Support Trust conducts extensive community-based outreach programmes in areas where we are not present. Depending on need, FST also operates suboffices where it focuses on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. Through mobile clinics, school-based initiatives and local awareness campaigns, the organisation bring essential services to people who may otherwise not have access to services.
Capacity Building
FST is also a leading organisation in building professional capacity within Zimbabwe’s SGBV response system. By training nurses, doctors, police officers and social workers, FST ensures that frontline professionals are equipped with the knowledge, empathy and skills required to handle cases of sexual and gender-based violence effectively and compassionately.
Need Help?
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual or gender-based violence, we are here to help. Visit our Get Help page to access free, confidential support from our survivor-friendly clinics.