The Family Life Centre: Addressing the issue of domestic abuse from the ground up
JOBURG – 'People should be concerned with why men think it is okay to abuse women'
The recent outbreak of women abuse in South Africa has once again shone a light on just how dark violence can really get.
There have been incidents reported that have left the country stunned and, for the most part, heartbroken.
The Family Life Centre, an affiliate to the umbrella body, Families South Africa (Famsa), has been one of the many organisations on the ground doing what they can to spread awareness and to help victims of abuse. Mandisa Muruge works for The Family Life Centre’s satellite office in Lenasia and has been doing her bit to help make a difference in the community through her programme that seeks to get to the root cause of violence and abuse in communities.
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“What motivated me to start the men’s forum are the cases of women abuse that were reported at the police station in my area, of violence against women on a daily basis. I have programmes about women abuse that I am doing in my community for women. Teaching them what to do when they are in abusive situations,” said Muruge.
She said that for a long time, it seemed like society became concerned with why women remain in abusive relationships but not enough people were concerned with why men thought it was okay to abuse women in the first place.
“When I did research at the police stations around my area about domestic violence against women, I found that cases of violence against women were not decreasing. My focus started shifting to men, I started talking to them about women abuse and how to get help when a person is violent towards women. That was the start of a men’s forum.”
Muruge also said she hopes more men will come forward and receive the necessary intervention from her programme. She says some men in her community grow up experiencing abuse in their families and communities and when they grow up, they see abuse as the only way to assert their authority.
Recently, coming from Child Protection Week, Famsa paired up with other organisations like the Johannesburg Institute of Social Services, Nishtara Alcohol And Drug Centre, the police and various other organisations.
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“We carry out awareness programmes at schools around our areas and across the country with our satellite offices.”
Muruge said the goal for The Family Life Centre and its satellite offices is to ensure they limit women abuse in communities. “People must play their part in stopping violence against women and children. People around us, neighbours, friends, and colleagues must not turn a blind eye when they see abuse happening to people who are close to them. Do not say ‘It is not my problem’. Your intervention could save a life.”
