Emotional day as victims of abuse tell their stories in Winterveldt
Winterveldt-based organisation, Family Opposing Women and Children Abuse organization held their second annual women’s month seminar.
Women relived their accounts of sexual violence at an emotional event in Winterveldt on Saturday.
Organiser and founder of Family Opposing Women and Children Abuse Palesa Kgotse said the event was held in order to encourage women to speak up and report abuse.
She said attendees broke into sobs when resident and survivor Siphiwe Sewela (35) shared how her family covered up that a close family member had raped and impregnated her when she was 15.
“I am not a rape victim but a survivor,” said Sewela.
“I was raped by my cousin. My family decided to keep the matter within the family.”
Kgotse said the event was meant to empower women to speak up in a sheltered environment and teach them the skills to report abuse.
“But finding funds has been an obstacle, hence my mother had to step in and help with finances. I also advise young people to speak out against abuse or else we will die in silence and so will the next generation,” said Kgotse.
She said women were taught about various kinds of abuse and how to find closure, urged to take care of their children – boys and girls – and what signs to look out for abuse.
Sewela said for the first time she could tell her story without crying because she met people who helped her find closure and counselling.
READ MORE: North man faces eight rape charges
“I have looked for love in wrong places because the people who were supposed to love and protect me were not there for me after I was raped,” said Sewela.
Now 36, Sewela said she was happy her son (20), was not affected by the fact that he was a result of rape.
“What hurts the most is that I did not get the chance to tell him how he was conceived. He was told by my family,” said Sewela.
Mercy House social worker Mary Mmoshi said the main objective of the organisation was to help victims of abuse find closure.
“We work hand in hand with the department of social development. They give us funds so as to keep the shelter running,” said Mmoshi.
“We keep victims for usually three to six months but if we see that they are not healing, we keep them longer. Some victims express themselves through writing and painting and the colours they use to show how their life is.”
Sergeant Ntombizodwa Mapanga of Rietgat police said she dealt with a lot of domestic violence victims but could only help a few deal with their trauma.
She urged women to rally together to end abuse.
“It is not only physical abuse that women go through but they also experience emotional abuse which leads to depression, high blood pressure and eventually untimely death,” said Mapanga.
“I advise women to find someone to talk to… it is not good to bottle things up. The elderly should also advise young people about abuse because they know better.”
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
