Abuse to be tackled head-on
An abuse survivor herself, Ms Hill told the gathering that women should not make excuses for abusers.
Men are not supposed to hurt women. Instead, they are supposed to stand up and protect them.
This is according to renowned musician, Mr Garth Taylor.
He was speaking at the launch of the Edenvale SAPS Women’s Network on March 18.
He said he grew up in an abusive home.
“I grew up with a stepfather who abused my mother, my sister and I. I swore that once I was grown I would make it my mission to protect women from abuse. Men cannot survive without women. I struggle to understand why men would want to hurt the very core of their existence,” he said.
Mr Taylor said he joined the Men for Change initiative to make a difference.
“Men are not supposed to hurt you. You cannot be free and beautiful if the men in your lives abuse you. This is why we need real men to stand up and say no to abuse,” said Mr Taylor, who also performed at the event.
Also speaking at the launch was resident and founder of She’s Free and Beautiful, Ms Rhoda Hill.
An abuse survivor herself, Ms Hill told the gathering that women should not make excuses for abusers.
“Sometimes we see it coming, but we still stay, thinking he will change. We stay because we hope he will love us enough to stop or that he’s doing this out of love. We must speak out to reach those who are too afraid to speak for themselves. We are here to hold the hands of women who need a shoulder to cry on, the courage to get out. We are here to say no to abuse,” said Ms Hill.
Edenvale SAPS Sergeant Jacob Mashile of the Crime Prevention Unit said that too many abused women sit at home with no one to turn to.
“They stay away, with so much pain in their hearts. We hope that this initiative will get them to realise that we care and are here for them. Women are like beautiful flowers, yet they have a lot of strength. We need them to find that courage and speak up against their abusers so we can intervene as the police,” said Sgt Mashile.
Representatives of the Edenvale Community Police Forum were also present at the launch.
The event took place at Edenvale’s New Day Church.
