WATCH: Acid attack victim speaks out on woman abuse
SYDENHAM - Following the trial of Jan Pieterse, who allegedly threw acid at his ex-girlfriend, Ines Antonio, in front of their five-year-old daughter on a street in Sydenham in November last year, Antonio has spoken out against women abuse.
According to Antonio, her relationship with Pieterse soured within the first few months.
Antonio said, “He started to become very controlling and abusive early in the relationship by always wanting to see my phone, know who I was with and go everywhere with me.”
According to Antonio, her relationship ended with Pieterse when she was two months pregnant with their child. “I decided to end the relationship because it was the best thing for me to do and I could not stand how abusive he was to me.”
According to her, she did he utmost to accommodate Pieterse because he was the father of her child. “I did my best to do what I could, I even let him stay with me for a while when the child was one because he had nowhere else to go.”
Watch the first part of our interview with Ines Antonio below:
According to Antonio, Pieterse’s abusive behaviour started to get out of hand as time progressed, “I decided that enough was enough and warned him to leave me alone, however, he kept contacting me using other people’s phones.”
Antonio said that even though she had gone to the police for a protection order, Pieterse continued to contact her and threaten her. “He said that he was going to disfigure me and that no-one else would ever want to be with me again. In 2014, that happened. He attacked me and poured acid all over me – and my daughter was injured too,” added Antonio.
“I never thought this would happen to me and I do not want this to happen to anyone else. If you are in an abusive relationship get out. It is time to think about yourself and about your safety. No person is worth going through what I have. Be strong.”
According to Antonio, numerous people have helped her along the way and she is extremely grateful. “Thank you to everyone who has gotten me through this awful time in my life. You have no idea how much this has all meant to me, ” added Antonio.
Watch the second part of our interview below:
Antonio is set to undergo surgery on 13 November and is looking forward to moving on with her life. Antonio said, “I am going to be the winner here, I am going to finish my education and look after my most precious daughter.”
The trail of Pieterse was postponed to 20 October in order for the Magistrate to further examine the evidence.
Do you know of any support groups that assist individuals in abusive relationships?
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