21 year-old Jessica Foord became a heroine to many in South Africa when she established The Jes Foord Foundation (JFF) following her traumatic rape by four men. Jessica's story is both moving and inspirational. Her courage and strength of purpose in the face of a horrific crime has resulted, in her case at least, in something truly good coming out of something very bad.

On a hot Sunday afternoon in March 2008, Jes and her father, Tim, went to Shongweni Dam to walk their dogs at one of Kwa-Zulu Natals more peaceful beauty spots. They were surprised by a group of men who beat and tied up Tim before forcing him to watch the brutal gang rape of his daughter.

Jes life was changed forever. Having suffered a crime that reportedly takes place in South Africa every 17 seconds, she realised that she had a choice: to let it destroy her - or to become a rape survivor. She remembers thinking: You have taken my body. You are NOT taking the rest of my life. From shaky beginnings, Jes resolved to speak out rather than hide away in shame. Finally, she chose to transform her appallingly negative experience into a positive one with the establishment of JFF. I formed the Foundation to help restore lives after rape by way of a number of initiatives and activities designed to change rape victims into rape survivors. I want to educate people and help them realise that there is life after rape, says Jes.

Now aged 24, Jes works full time fundraising for JFF. She gives motivational talks to schools and organisations, and improves education about rape among men and boys, as well as women and girls. She works tirelessly with rape counsellors in rural areas and has plans in place to improve facilities at Police Stations, District Surgeon's rooms and in Courtrooms for those who have been raped. Her eventual goal is to set up a special care centre for survivors where they can get the medical, psychological and legal attention they need under one roof. It will be a safe, comforting, clean place staffed with knowledgeable, supportive people - not always the case at present, she says.

In the main, JFF relies on donations from companies and individuals who have the urge to bring hope to hundreds of people going through the harrowing aftermath of rape. When you give of money or time to the Jes Foord Foundation, you are helping to revolutionise the way rape victims are treated a revolution that is long overdue if they are to become rape survivors. You can help them regain something priceless - their dignity and self-esteem.