KwaDukuza Child Welfare is here to help families in crisis

Domestic abuse in KwaDukuza is at an alarming stage, with at least one woman walking through the door of Child Welfare every week, often with children in tow.

KwaDukuza Child Welfare senior social work manager, Karnegie Govender, said clients were subjected to the most horrendous abuse in their own homes, often by the person they thought would always love and protect them. 

“The scenario is a common one, a seemingly loving husband/partner and doting father in public, but a monster within the confines of the home.”

Most abused women are fearful of leaving these relationships because of financial dependency. 

Women are often encouraged to give up their careers, not realising that it was a plan to dominate and control them.

She said the negative impact of domestic violence on children follows them into adulthood.

The psychological damage often leads to the cycle of violence being perpetuated when they are adults. 

“It is therefore crucial to remove children from exposure to violent and abusive relationships because we know that some behaviour is learnt by watching others, usually their parents.

Children grow up believing abusive relationships are the norm and know no other way of behaving with their partners and children.”

Govender said women in abusive relationships would often say that it had been the same for their mothers and so believed this was the way of life.

They submissively tolerated the violence in their relationships.

It was vital that the cycle of violence be broken.

Children have a right to a happy and stable family life. 

“This would not be possible in a home where gender-based violence is a frequent occurrence.

If children are witness to extreme violence within the home and it becomes detrimental to their healthy psycho-social development, then it’s best to seek out the alternate placement for these children.

This removes them from volatile and sometimes life-threatening situations.”

She said they get reports almost daily of children being neglected and abused.

Rape of children was a growing concern and said they know that it is under-reported. 

“We have cases of both male and female children being raped. In most cases, the perpetrator is known to the victim.

We receive cases of rape every month and the numbers vary.

Lots of referrals are through Childline and schools.

We conduct awareness programmes at schools and run a parenting programme every month focusing on aspects of child abuse and neglect.”

Govender said there were various resources available to women in KwaDukuza that were free, which could help them escape from abusive relationships.

You can contact child welfare at 032 5512 129 / 032 5515 041.