The mission of the Academy on Violence and Abuse South Africa (AVA) is to advance education and research on the recognition, treatment, and prevention of the health effects of violence and abuse throughout the lifecourse. AVA South Africa is headed by Dr. Melanie Moen from the Department of Early Childhood Education. On the 5^th of March the Department of Early Childhood Education and the Academy on Violence and Abuse – South Africa had their first meeting of the year. Mr. Pete Singer, director of Care in Action Minnesota presented a Skype lecture on the effects of trauma on executive functioning and learning. At the meeting a new community support App was launched. The purpose of the App is to link community members who have experienced adversities with suitable support organisations in their immediate areas. The link to the App can be downloaded from https://arcg.is/19nGfP