Wentworth breaks the silence against abuse
As part of the day’s programme guest speakers shared words of encouragement to women to stand against domestic violence and report incidents and perpetrators to the police in an effort to curb this crime.
WITH the aim of eradicating domestic violence by educating the local community, District 6 Libraries hosted a domestic violence awareness programme just in time for 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children on Wednesday, 4 December.
Given the scourge of gender-based violence in the country, which is declared a national address, police and members from various organisations who work with victims, affected families and those in support of the initiative came out to the event and spoke on the growing epidemic that is robbing many innocent women and children of their lives.
As part of the day’s programme guest speakers shared words of encouragement to women to stand against domestic violence and report incidents and perpetrators to the police in efforts to curb this crime. Likewise, the few men in attendance were also educated on the role that they can play in protecting women and children, changing toxic social behaviours and bringing abusive men to account. Key signs of domestic abuse in victims were also shared as part of the educational aspect of the programme.
Audrey Anderson, founder of BAFDT, a local support group, shared her experience with domestic abuse as well as the work she now does in assisting victims. “I want to encourage each and every one to do some self-intro section and take a look at ‘I’. Curbing domestic violence in Wentworth starts with us and re-evaluating how we interact and speak with each other in the home, in the workplace and in the community.”
She added that it is little things such as foul communication or fighting in front of children that youngsters become influenced into negative behaviour and social interactions. “It is heart breaking to hear people in our support group share on the loss of their loved ones as a result of the prevalent violence in Wentworth. In order to break the cycle, the change needs to start with you and I,” said Audrey who further encouraged attendees to speak against injustices, to deal with their grief, to stop verbal abuse in the home and to help a fellow woman in need.
Programme director and national quality manager of Activate Change Drivers,Darian Smith also motivated men to stand in union with women and children against domestic violence and to share all that they had learnt with other men.
Abuse survivors Nomawele Njongo and Antoinette Lottering shared their heart-wrenching experiences with domestic abuse and journey of healing. Wentworth police’s Colonel Natasha Mai also urged victims to leave toxic and abusive relationships.
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