Women abuse knows no class

Despite awareness campaigns and public objections, local authorities are struggling to combat the plight of abused women on the North Coast.

A woman from Nkobongo township near Shakaskraal took a stand when she recently opened a case of domestic violence against her boyfriend at the Umhlali police station.

She said the decision had been difficult as the abuse of women is sometimes considered acceptable in the African culture.

“A lot of woman date foreigners because it is believed that Zulu men like to hit women. I have been hit by my father, brothers and boyfriends.”

In some cultures, a woman’s duty is to cook and clean for her husband or the man of the house and not argue. When a woman violates the rules, it is considered acceptable for a man to hit her.

Many women do not report this abuse because they themselves do not realise they have the right to say no. Another victim in her early 40s said she was still recovering from being raped two years ago.

“I was waiting for a taxi in Stanger and I was going to Redhill in Durban. A man driving a van stopped and asked me if I needed a lift. I said no but he kept insisting. Before we could reach Redhill, he pulled over to the side of the road and raped me. I was too ashamed to talk about it but my brother convinced me to open a police report a few weeks later.”

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said more than ten cases of abuse were being opened a month at the station and said violence against women was a national issue that needed to be tackled at a local level.

“Community begins at home and in saying that, it is important for everyone in our Dolphin Coast community to take on the responsibility of protecting vulnerable people – women, children and the disabled. Abuse occurs from the rural areas like Nkobongo townships right up to the wealthy areas like Ballito. “Most reported rapes occur outside shebeens at weekends.”

Pillay said social media also played a role in abuse.

“We have seen cases where boyfriends take naked photos of their girlfriends and then post the photos on Facebook when they break up. This is abusive behaviour and a criminal offence.”

Meanwhile, in Tongaat, Haven of Rest social worker Shushie Govender said the halfway house usually took in victims of domestic abuse.

“I cannot say there has been an increase of abused victims. We recently took in a mother and her two children who were affected by domestic abuse. We provide victims with shelter and food as well as medical and psychological treatment if needed.”

Tongaat SAPS spokesperson Manisha Mari said physical abuse against women was also a problem in the greater Tongaat area.

“We need women to come forward with cases of domestic abuse. We also warn woman to be cautious when it comes to their safety. Walking alone at night and taking lifts with strangers should be avoided.”

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

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