If you’re trapped in an abusive relationship, how do you get help? That’s a question organisations tackled during a workshop in Woodstock.
Organised by the Born Victorious Moment and Cape Town Central police, the workshop was held at The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture.
It marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
Zintle Ndamase, the chairperson of the Born Victorious Movement, said it was vital to work together to tackle abuse.
“You can’t change this world on your own; you need help from other organisations so that you can work together and achieve the greater good together,” she said.
Mosaic, a non-profit, has fought the scourge of abuse, offering court support to victims of violence, for 25 years.
Its court-programme manager, Dawn Fish, said Mosaic gave abused women space for healing so they could return to their communities and help others.
Mosaic advises women in abusive relationships how to get protection orders and how to use the law to free themselves from the cycle of violence. Mosaic works in 14 magistrate’s courts.
Amy Shackelford, of the Scalabrini Centre, said they did a lot of work helping migrants and refugees, but they also helped South African citizens as well.
The centre has welfare programmes offering medical care, schooling, shelter and advice.
Its women’s platform programme offers skills training to those who join it so they earn a living for themselves.
Cape Town Family Court magistrate Alta le Roux spoke about the impact of domestic violence on children. “Children act and do whatever they see, whatever their mother and father do, they will grow up and see how the father is treating the mother and they will do exactly the same,” she said.
Ms Le Roux said it was vital to form groups for men that could challenge the way they had been socialised. She said she could grant a protection order if the complainant was in danger and the perpetrator was causing emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
Captain Ezra October, from Cape Town Central SAPS, said all police stations had victim support rooms that belonged to the community and where victims of violence could turn to for help.
He said that they have a dedicated person at their station that deals with protection orders. The person to call is Marvin Kolbee at 021 467 8001