KINGSBURGH Child and Family Welfare Society hosted an AECI-funded training programme on gender sensitivity and domestic violence at its office in Warner Beach on Wednesday, 2 December.
The programme was held during the 16 Days of Activism against women and child abuse, which falls between Wednesday, 25 November and Thursday, 10 December.
“The programme is designed to:
* To provide information about the causes of domestic violence;
* Sensitise service providers and communities to gender issues, as well as to the problems and difficulties experienced by women and children who have been abused;
* Encourage communities to work together to take action;
* Develop understanding and empathy for women and children who have been abused.
According to the Domestic Violence Act, abuse is defined as:
* Physical – hitting, kicking and punching.
* Sexual – an action by one person who abuses, humilates, degrades or violates the sexual integrity of another.
* Emotional, verbal and psychological – a pattern of actions that degrade or humilate a person. It includes insulting a person over and over again, calling them names, mocking them or threatening them in a way that causes emotional pain. It also includes repeatedly being jealous or obsessive that it invades the other person’s privacy, integrity or security.
* Economic – when a person in a domestic relationship will not give the other person money he or she is legally entitled to for the household or for rent.
* Intimidation – when one person threatens another person or sends a threat to them, that makes them afraid.
* Harassment – includes watching the person over and over again, loitering, outside or near a building where the other person lives or works. It also includes making phone calls, sending unwanted letters or packages.
* Stalking – following a person all the time.
* Damage to property – entry into a person’s property without his or her consent. Any controlling behaviour, where the action one person takes causes harm to the other person’s safety, health and well-being.
If you are being abused or know of someone being abused, help is at hand, call Kingsburgh Welfare on 031-916-2274, Lifeline Durban on 031-312-2323, Amanzimtoti Trauma Unit on 031-903-7777 or Bobbi Bear on 031-903-2424 in cases of child abuse.
