Almost daily, we hear about women approached in malls and shops, held against their wills, and their bank accounts cleaned out, if they were lucky enough to avoid being kidnapped.
Chantelle Morrison, from Florentia and the founder of Silent Rights, recently spoke to two women who experienced this at shopping centres in Alberton.
She formed Silent Rights to help women who suffer domestic abuse and gender-based violence (GBV).
The organisation is all about creating awareness and helping victims.
“It is becoming so common. These women quietly dealt with what happened to them, quietly went to security for help, instead of making a big noise in the shop,” she said.
If women start being loud about these experiences when they happen, these criminals might stop being so brave and open to doing this in public spaces.
Tips that can save women and children when faced with an attacker in public:
• Women must be vigilant at all times. Walk confidently and make eye contact as opposed to appearing timid or afraid. If approached by a person who tries to touch or grab them, women should know what actions are most likely to help them escape.
• Self-defence in street situations is all about evading or avoiding the risk. The escapes and strikes learnt are only used to get away to safety. Think only of escape and not of trying to stay and fight your attacker. The longer you are exposed to the attack, the more probable you will be hurt.
• Shout out commands such as ‘Get away from me’ or ‘Call security’ to draw attention to what is happening.
• A handbag or a bag of groceries can generate enough force to hurt someone if swung in the face and might startle or distract them long enough to escape or strike again.
• If confronted with a weapon, it is best to hand your valuables to the attacker. Do not resist. Give up your property because your safety is more important. Stay as calm as you can and remember/retain as much detail about the attacker as possible.
• Report the crime to the police and describe the attacker as accurately as possible. Your actions can prevent other victims from going through the same thing.
• Never, under any circumstances, get into somebody’s vehicle.
“We, as women, need to be extra cautious of our surroundings, and we must look out for each other. Crime is on the rise, and most times, the victims are women and children,” she said.
More about Silent Rights
Silent Rights was launched on August 3, 2020.
“I started a social media page to create awareness around domestic abuse, specifically psychological and emotional abuse, and me sharing my experience with other victims. I wanted women to know they were not alone.
“I wanted to share everything I had learnt with any woman who could benefit from it. Unfortunately, our judicial system is not black and white, there are a lot of grey areas to navigate, and I wanted to share this knowledge with women who could not afford an attorney to guide them,” Morrison said.
The organisation grew faster than she ever imagined. Women reached out to her and thanked her for sharing her story and asking for help and advice.
“Women wanted to get involved and contribute. Together, we started a little community of victims and survivors determined to make a change for no other reason than they had been there before and know what it takes to get through it.
“We are not about making a big noise, attending strikes or marches, nothing like that. We focus on helping women. All of our members have experienced abuse and violence. We know what victims are dealing with and feeling, and we do what it takes to help them through the process,” she said.
People can message them on WhatsApp on 079 027 9954, email info@silentrights.co.za or find them on social media at @SilentRightsSA
