On 17th September 2021, on what would have been Elsa’s 38th birthday, we helped Butoke to launch the Elsa Corp Justice Project. The purpose of the Project is to help survivors of sexual violence in the area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where Butoke works, and to bring the perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. The Project has now completed its first year of operation with some great results – further details below.
The Project is named in honour of Elsa Corp, our beautiful daughter and sister. Elsa was a happy, kind, and extremely caring person, who was adored by her many friends. She always had a smile on her face, and loved to go out and have a good time with her friends. Elsa grew up in Cheltenham in the suburbs of Melbourne, and was a hairdresser by trade.
On the 1st of February 2010, Elsa was murdered by a man introduced to her by a friend. Unknown to Elsa, her “date” had a criminal record and was on parole at the time, and although he had broken parole, he was released from prison anyway. To try and change laws that would allow violent re-offenders to be free within the community, we campaigned by letters, appearances on radio and television, and a public rally that gathered over 10,000 signatures. Finally, in 2013 “Elsa’s Law” was introduced into parliament, stating that prisoners who had committed a serious offence whilst on parole were to be re-imprisoned.
Elsa would love the fact that her name is associated with a cause that helped young girls and women in such terrible situations. She would probably say “that is so not fair”, and be appalled at some of the cases that we have heard about in the DRC. She would be thrilled to know that she is helping these girls seek justice.
– Gilly, Andy, and Danny Corp
Butoke’s work with the survivors of sexual violence in the DRC
Sexual violence is endemic in the DRC. In perhaps the majority of cases, survivors of sexual violence receive no assistance after being attacked and perpetrators are not charged with any criminal offence. They carry on with their lives in the community without sanction. Further, the survivors of sexual violence often find that they are rejected by their own families and communities.
Butoke has for some time tried to improve the situation in the part of the DRC where it operates. It has done this by providing assistance to survivors of sexual violence and by encouraging the prosecution of perpetrators. The assistance provided is both medical and practical. In addition, Butoke pays for the survivors of sexual violence to be legally represented so that charges may be brought when a perpetrator is arrested. If survivors are not legally represented, then charges will not usually be brought.
What the Elsa Corp Justice Project has achieved in its first 12 months
Butoke’s ability to carry out this work has always been hampered by a lack of funds. Butoke was therefore delighted when the family of Elsa Corp and byrne dean, a business co-founded by Matt Dean, Elsa’s cousin in the UK, showed an interest in this work in 2021 and agreed to help fund it for an intial period of 12 months.
Since September 2021 the Elsa Corp Justice Project has helped 14 women and girls who had been subjected to sexual violence. They have been provided with pyschological and medical care and, also, assistance with food, clothing and transport. In each case they have also been provided with legal representation. At least six of their attackers have been imprisoned, others have fled. In every case Butoke believes that it has sent a clear message to the local community: that sexual violence will no longer be ignored and has consequences for the perpetrator.
Butoke seeks to reduce the vulnerability of the women and girls it helps by providing them, where appropriate, with educational opportunities or assistance in setting up micro-businesses. Over the last year, it has helped two of the girls it has worked with complete sewing and tailoring courses and others back into university or college.
How will money I donate to the Elsa Corp Justice Project be used?
Any money you give will be sent to The Friends of Butoke Charity in the UK. Then, when Butoke identifies a girl or woman who needs help after being attacked, the Charity will send funds to Butoke in the DRC. 100% of money donated will be spent in the DRC. The Charity’s running costs are paid by its trustees.
Money donated will be spent by Butoke on items such as medical and psychological care, food and clothing, relocation costs, and, sometimes, vocational education or assistance in setting up a micro-business for the girl or woman concerned. Butoke will also pay their legal fees to ensure that where possible perpetrators are prosecuted.
If the funds raised by the Elsa Corp Justice Project exceed those required to help the survivors of sexual violence with whom Butoke works then, in conjunction with the family of Elsa Corp, Butoke may decided to spend those excess funds on related projects. For example, Butoke has built a maternity unit in one of the communities it serves whose patients include victims of sexual violence. Butoke needs further funds to improve the very basic facilities available at the maternity unit.
The Charity will update this webpage next year with further news of the Project, so that everyone who has donated to it will be able to see what it has achieved.
How can I give money?
Friends and family of Elsa Corp in Australia can donate by using this justgiving page. If you have any queries about the page, please contact Danny, Elsa’s brother (danieltcorp@gmail.com). Existing supporters of Butoke may make donations by using the usual bank details and specifying that the payment is for the Elsa Corp Justice Project – or contact Paul Evans (paulevans@blueyonder.co.uk), one of the Charity’s trustees.
The Friends of Butoke Charity 