Powa educates the public on various forms and cycles of abuse in relationships
SANDTON – "Abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual or financial. Abused women usually experience multiple forms of abuse," said the communications manager of Powa, Thandiwe McCloy.
People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa) took the time to inform the public on what abuse is, followed by the types of abuse in hopes to reduce gender-based violence.
According to Powa, abuse is defined as any form of control over an individual which can lead to fear, manipulation, physical and emotional harm.
“Abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual and financial. Abused women usually experience multiple forms of abuse,” said communications manager of Powa, Thandiwe McCloy.
The non-profit organisation further describes multiple forms of abuse, giving a detailed understanding of what victims of abuse go through on a regular basis.
When looking at physical abuse, physical harm is presented through slapping, kicking, scratching, punching and using objects to harm the victim. Observing sexual abuse, the victim is either forced into having sex with their partner or with other people.
Emotional abuse is when the victim is humiliated, insulted, intimidated, manipulated, ridiculed, accused and ignored. Financial abuse is when the abuser has full control of the victim’s financial resources and spends most of the money on themselves.
According to McCloy, an abuser usually goes through three clear repeating stages in his behaviour.
“This cycle of violence is important in keeping the woman in the relationship because the abuser is both kind and abusive,” says McCloy
Tension building stage is where arguments between couples emerge. Abusive stage is where conflict escalates to physical, emotional, financial and sexual. The honeymoon stage is where the abuser apologises to the victim and ensures them that it will not happen again. Victims often forgive their abusers because of the last stage.
Abusers treat their victims like possessions and not like human beings. That is why it is easy for them to carry out these inhumane acts and never feel any remorse.
“As the relationship progresses, the abusive stage usually becomes more severe and the cycle gets shorter, making the abusers never enter the honeymoon stage. They never feel sorry for what they do,” McCloy concluded.
If an individual or someone that you know is experiencing any form of abuse with their partner, contact Powa on
011 642 4345/6 or email counselling@powa.co.za for free counselling.
For more information on Powa, visit: www.powa.co.za
