Pinetown attorney champions women’s rights

HELPING abused women with legal representation has always been a Pinetown attorney’s passion and he is now doing it pro bono.

Charl Claassen, who recently opened his law practice, specialises in criminal law and said most women do not know their rights.

“What convinced me to follow my passion was four years ago when I saw three boys coming out of custody shaking, they were hysterical, one of them had wet himself.”

Claassen said they had no one to represent them and he offered his services for free.

“My conscience could not allow me to let them be sent back as I did not know what they had encountered in the custody. From that day I realised that there are so many vulnerable people out there, especially abused women who are dependent on men,” he said.

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Claassen said women should go to the domestic violence court when they are being abused and get an interim order. They can even lay a criminal charge against the perpetrator.

“If you abuse someone, that is a criminal offence, and women can do something to stop it.”

He said in his experience, he has seen that the moment women stand for themselves, the perpetrator backs off.

“For me, men who abuse women are cowards. When women are insulted and called names, they start to believe they are worthless. My aim is to empower women and see them taking back their lives. Abuse is abuse, it could be at a work place or home,” he said.

Claassen also has a live show on NetRadioSA.co.za every Tuesday night from 8 to 9 where he tackles different topics such as divorce, new law on dagga and domestic violence.

“Listeners get to call and ask questions. I love engaging with people,” he said.

Women who would like to talk to Claassen can email him at claassenlaw@gmail.com or call 031 701 9797.