Atlantis was a creation of the Apartheid regime's dream of decentralization whereby
it moved people of color out of the city center and provided subsidies to industries to
move out there. It was essentially a "colored" homeland. With the demise of Apartheid,
subsidies were withdrawn from businesses, with the result that many businesses moved
out of Atlantis leaving thousands of people unemployed.

There is a population of approximately 120,000 people with an unemployment rate of
+ - 40%. The court grants on average fifty protection orders per week, the demand for
accommodation at the Sanctuary is great. United Sanctuary Against Abuse (previously
United Sanctuary for Battered Women) was established in 1994.

The organization was started by a group of factory workers at a time when domestic
violence was considered a domestic issue which did not warrant police involvement.
Female members of the organization started to man the charge office of the local police
station, rendering support to and avocation on behalf of victims reporting cases of
domestic violence.

Members were encouraged to educate themselves around laws pertaining to Human
Rights. Domestic Violence Act, Maintenance Act, counseling act. An aggressive
awareness campaign was launched. This resulted in more women speaking out and
reporting cases of domestic violence. A need for a safe house for battered women and
children fleeing from violent households became apparent. After a period of housing
victims at their own homes, endangering their own lives, the members rented and managed
a house which was used to provide shelter to battered women and their children.

Sadly, the members could not keep up with the rent payments which came from meager
wages with the result that they lost the house after a year. However, this setback did not
discourage this courageous group of women. On the contrary, determined to continue
supporting victims of domestic violence, they embarked on a campaign to educate the
community around their rights and also garnishing support for victims.

In 1999, the South African Clothing and Textiles Workers Union bought a house and donated
the use to United Sanctuary Against Abuse for the purpose of housing victims of domestic
violence. The Sanctuary opened its doors on 10 December 1999 and has since provided shelter
to approximately 360 battered women and their children, 99% of these women are unemployed
and or desperately poor and of different races and religions. The Sanctuary also provides emergency
shelter to sexually abused children removed from their homes by social workers.

Currently, the organization conducts all its businesses (e.g.. The Victims Advice Desk, support
group meetings, workshops etc.) from and outbuilding on the premises of the Sanctuary.
Since the contribution from the Department of Social Services covers a meager 10% of the
running cost budged of the Sanctuary, the organization relies on themselves to raise its own funds.