Domestic violence awareness in KwaThema

The session, which was held at the KwaThema Methodist Church on Friday, saw more than 40 community members attending.

Explaining the purpose of the day, advocate Praise Kambula says it is aimed at educating communities about domestic violence.

She says the justice department realised the need to ensure citizens understand domestic violence and know how to prevent abuse, and deal with its affects.

“It is true that many senior citizens are abused by their grandchildren and do not know where to get help,” says Kambula.

She adds the department and police can not win the battle against domestic violence without the community’s help.

Speaking on behalf of the Methodist Church, Rev Smadz Matsepe says the church also has a role to play in fighting this challenge.

He says the church understands that abuse affects everyone.

“Churches also need to play a part in ensuring peace and love in the communities while also preaching against abuse,” says Matsepe.

He says abuse also affects those who are close to the victims.

Matsepe appeals to the abusers to look for other ways to resolve their differences.

He believes violence is not a solution to resolving problems, and instead causes more problems, hate and pain.

Matsepe promised residents of Kwatsaduza that his church will continue to host such events to ensure residents know their rights and are able to exercise them in a way that will benefit the community.

Albert Nkosi (64), a KwaThema resident who attended the event, says he is happy the church cares about the issues affecting the community.

“Many old people are victims of abuse at the hands of those close to them, but do not know which steps to take after the abuse,” says Nkosi.

He believes the information shared with them during the event will help many victims of abuse in the township.