Family Life stands against GBV
PARKWOOD – The centre is offering a course for victims of domestic violence.
Director of Family Life Centre Jennifer Papers said now was the time to take action to bring an end to gender-based violence (GBV).
Various speakers and community members gathered at the centre in Parkwood on 27 November to honour victims of gender-based violence and share stories of hope and healing.
The centre recently started a GBV department, offering courses for victims of gender-based violence, enabling them to get out of abusive relationships and build up their self-worth. The department also hopes to assist perpetrators of gender-based violence in a non-judgmental manner and assist them to deal with anger issues.
Attorney and member of the board at the centre Malesela Ngoasheng addressed the gathering and said, “Domestic violence is one of the worst killers… We should treat this as a pandemic and fight every day because we have a cure.”
He critiqued the process by which victims dealt with gender-based violence, saying that many women cried foul of law enforcement or stayed too far from a police station, allowing perpetrators to convince the victims to drop charges. Ngoasheng said the lengthy judicial system and option for bail for perpetrators created a situation where victims lost hope.
Martial arts expert Warren Ho gave a self-defence demonstration at the event, highlighting the importance of using your voice to defend yourself.
“We have forgotten how to use our voices through social conditioning. Your voice is your first line of defence. A verbal barrier gives an indication that a person or perpetrator should stay back,” said Ho.
He explained that the options of the victim were to fight, freeze, flight, flip-out or adapt.
Managing director and drama therapist at Lefika La Phodiso, Rozanne Myburgh explained the work of her programme with children in the inner-city.
“We grieve, grow and transform through the arts. We believe in the healing potential of intentionally working with arts for therapy.”
Family Life Centre appeals for sponsorship to assist victims of gender-based violence through their 18-hour course.
Details: Email intake@familylife.co.za
