The Freedom Recovery Centre, in partnership with several community stakeholders, hosted a gender-based violence awareness dialogue in Nigel on November 21.
The aim of the event was to address the ongoing scourge of gender-based and domestic violence affecting families across local communities. Les Dube, a social worker who supports outpatients at the centre, highlighted the urgency of the issue.
“The purpose of the day is to recognise people who are suffering in silence. Women and children are being killed every day in our country.
“In Nigel, substance abuse triggers many cases of violence because when people are under the influence, they often return home and cause havoc.
“In some cases, children could not write exams because both parents were drunk and fighting. We are also here to teach perpetrators that it is not right to abuse their partner,” he said.
Nondumiso France, who works in the Domestic Violence Office at the Nigel Magistrate’s Court, emphasised the importance of women standing firm.
Community members came out in numbers to attend the GBV awareness dialogue in Nigel. Photo: Esau Dlamini
“Women, we must stand up and say enough is enough. We cannot allow people to kill us in the name of love because many women are dying at the hands of their partners. Women open protection orders with our assistance, but when the court date arrives, they don’t attend.
“My advice is not to withdraw the protection order, even if you decide to reconcile, because perpetrators can be very manipulative and will do it again,” she said.GBV survivor Cwayita Noah shared her testimony, urging the community to take the issue seriously.
“Gender-based violence is a pandemic that needs urgent attention because people are suffering and dying in silence. I am a survivor and conqueror. I escaped with my son in my arms two years ago, and today I’m living free and happy without the abuse,” she said.
Sergeant Zimasa Thusi from Nigel SAPS echoed concerns about the link between violence and substance abuse.
“Substance and alcohol abuse cause most of our domestic violence cases. Some partners start fighting in front of their children after using substances.
“We had a case where a woman was severely beaten by her husband, and the police opened a case on her behalf because she had to be taken to a hospital. But when she was discharged, she withdrew the charges. We need to work together, and I want to encourage women not to protect perpetrators and suffer in silence,” she said.
Nondumiso France urges women to stand firm and use protection orders effectively to safeguard themselves from abusive partners. Photo: Esau Dlamini
Social worker Les Dube highlights the impact of substance abuse on domestic violence cases. Photo: Esau Dlamini
Pastor Lauren Hendricks opens the GBV awareness dialogue with prayer. Photo: Esau Dlamini
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