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Women are speaking out against abuse at the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. It can be domestic or random, physical or verbal.
DRIVING along Bram Fischer Road in Soweto, Octavia Mbentse, a liaison officer in the City of Johannesburg, was stopped on the side of the road, dragged out of her car and badly beaten by a taxi driver.
Octavia Mbentse, a victim of physical abuse
“The taxi driver hooted; he tried to push me off the road. I then pulled over and let him pass. He then barricaded the road, forcing me to stop, pulled open my door, dragged me out of the car and threw me to the floor,” she says.
He started kicking Mbentse in her face and head; as she arose, he kicked her knee, causing her to drop to the ground. He continued kicking her, saying: “I could even kill you and no one would know,” until she was lost consciousness.
After a month of recovering, Mbentse stepped out and shared her story at the start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. The campaign began on 25 November with the hope that others who have been assaulted can speak out.
She never thought she would one day become a victim of road rage but to that taxi driver, she was just a punch bag, says Mbentse. “It takes time and courage to talk about abuse, but we have to.” She urges people to “speak out. It’s never too late.”
Following the incident, Mbentse opened a case against the taxi driver, which is still being investigated. Her ordeal is evidence that abuse is not only a domestic issue, but goes far beyond and can even be random and once-off.
This year, Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana will have an opportunity to discuss progress made in ensuring women’s rights are realised as well as the country’s progressive Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Shelter
Shelters are open that help women and children who are abused, one of which is the Usindiso Ministries Women’s Shelter in central Joburg.
Usindiso accommodates 60 abused women with their children as well as 60 homeless women and their children. It provides for the basic needs of each woman and child, which includes food, ablution facilities, nappies and clothing.
Social workers offer counselling and workshops are held to create awareness of HIV and Aids, and human rights. Programmes run at the centre include life skills, handicrafts and skills in finding employment.
Usindiso is at number 80 Albert Street, Marshalltown and can be contacted on 011 334 1143/4.
Another shelter, in Lenasia, south of the CBD, is the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development. It provides temporary emergency accommodation of four to six weeks for 22 abused women and their children at any given time.
This institute, founded in 1994, is a community-based, non-governmental, non-profit organisation committed to helping abused women and children.
It is also committed to the empowerment and upliftment of women and is dedicated to promoting and acknowledging them as individuals. Collective empowerment is a focus, looking at their contributions in politics, economics and community activities.
Therapy
While at the Nisaa shelter, women and their children receive counselling, and attend weekly house meetings and group sessions. It also offers supportive services such as life skills development and referrals to women survivors of violence. The children are appointed a care worker and councillor, who provide educational and play activities with recreational opportunities, including visits to the Joburg Zoo, theatre, movies and library.
The child councillor also gives emotional support through counselling to the children who have witnessed or been victims of domestic violence.
According to Nolubabalo Dlisani, Nisaa’s counselling and shelter manager, in October, 151 people came in for counselling, 21 people at the shelter - 12 women and nine children.
But abuse is subtle and cannot only be detected by bruises. Nisaa says words have power, both to heal and to hurt and verbal abuse can destroy confidence, trust and respect, and can lead to physical violence. Nisaa’s website includes a questionnaire a person can take to check if they are in a verbally abusive relationship.
Nisaa is at 19 Link Street, Extension 1 in Lenasia. It can be contacted on 011 854 5804/5.
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