City’s new network for children, women in abusive relationships

Following a recent brainstorming session with vital role players advocating against women and child abuse in local communities, experts in this field formed a network where victims can easily search for help.
In the light of South Africa preparing for the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign from 25 November to 10 December, local attorney and initiator Magdaleen de Klerk established the network following her urge to reach out to abused women and children in local communities.
The purpose of the network is to provide easy access and guidance to women who find themselves in abusive relationships to enable them to empower themselves, according to De Klerk.
Domestic abuse takes on many forms such as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economical. Substance abuse by a spouse or partner in many instances leads to various forms of abuse. “It has been referred to as an unacknowledged epidemic in our society. Domestic abuse is often hidden from view and negatively impacts on all family members especially the children who learn from it that violence is an acceptable way to cope with stress or problems. Because of its hidden, repetitive character and the fact that so many women are financially dependent upon their spouses or partners many woman are too scared or embarrassed to do something about it or even to talk about it,” De Klerk said.
She indicated that anyone caught up in such a relationship must first of all realise that she deserves to be treated with respect and to be happy and loved and to remember that every day of your life is a gift from God.
The next step is to seek help and to make an appointment with the relevant person. The contact details of various experts who would be able to assist women in this regard are provided below. These experts normally liaise with each other and will, having regard to your specific circumstances, be able to refer you to the right person for assistance, according to De Klerk.
Schools also have psychologists and other experts as part of their staff to assist learners and their parents in this regard. If the relationship has however irretrievably broken down it is imperative to seek legal advice on issues such as the patrimonial and personal consequences of a divorce as well as the parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the minor and dependent children born from such relationship, according to De Klerk.
Contact details of organisations and experts part of the umbrella network in Polokwane
Polokwane Child and Family Care Society
42A Jorissen Street
015 297 3326/7
Email: polokwane.childwelfare@gmail.com
Emergency Mobile: 084 547 0886
SAWF /SAVF (South African Women’s Federation)
Sonja White
9 Hoog Street
015 295 3369
Email: polokwane.sw01@savf.co.za
Department of Social Development
Renee Molapo
34 Hans Van Rensburg Street
082 662 9655
Email: MolapoR@dsd.limpopo.gov.za
Private Social Workers
MG Semenya
Shop 22, Metropolitan Centre, 51 Market Street.
015 296 1114
076 130 6500
Email: semenya.glenda@gmail.com
Greta Bekker
21 Pompagalana Street
Tzaneen
082 622 8525
Family therapy
Johannalie Knoetze
51 Bodenstein Street, Polokwane
(015) 2911521
084 329 4541
Email: drjknoetze@gmail.com
Pastoral family therapist
Jaco Putter
082 563 1616
Clinical Psychologist
Zelda Buitendag
(015) 295 7588
Email: zbuitendag@gmail.com
Frans Kruger
7 Burger Street, Polokwane
015 295 7934
Counselling Psychologist
Elmarie Pieterse
082 552 7663
Email: annaelmarie@yahoo.com
Psychologist
Dawid Botes
082 452 5361
Email: botesd@ampath.co.za
Educational psychologist
Vincent Cloete
64 Natorp Street, Bendor
015 295 6943
Email: cloetev@wol.co.za
Louise Wickham
Floramed, 80 McDonald Street
015 296 2113
072 402 4097
The Human Rights Commission
Eileen Carter
015 291 3106
First Floor, Office 102, Library Garden Square, cnr Schoeman and Grobler streets
Email: ECarter@sahrc.org.za
Family Advocate
Lerato Leshaba
High Court Building, 36 Biccard Street
015 291 1730 / (015) 817-1200
SANCA (Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)
33 Kerk Street Polokwane
015 295 3700
Email: info@sancalimpopo.co.za

Story: RC Myburgh
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