Local jumps off Soweto Towers to raise awareness about narcissistic abuse
CRAIGHALL PARK – She encourages victims to reach out to family and friends and be honest with them.
Craighall Park resident Caitlin Roper conquered her fears as she free-falled from the Soweto Towers on 30 May to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse.
The Gazette published an online story titled Local to jump to create awareness for narcissistic abuse on 23 May, where Roper discussed her desire to free-fall from the towers in a wedding dress.
As a victim of this form of abuse, Roper said she wanted to break free and let others know that it is okay to leave and not feel trapped in an abusive situation.
Roper said she felt a sense of exhilaration and freedom when jumping.
“There was disbelief that I had actually jumped and I felt pride because I realised I could do anything I put my mind to. There was sadness that my dad wasn’t with us and there was anger that I had to do something so drastic to raise awareness in the first place. And then there was joy and humility when I saw the support all around me and online,” said Roper.
She hopes to organise more events like this to not only create awareness but also enlighten people about the signs of narcissism and how to safely seek recourse.
Roper said she would like to focus more on the effects that narcissism has on children.
She said that in South Africa, though the government has recognised that women and children, in particular, are often victims of abuse, people find it increasingly difficult to get justice when it comes to emotional, psychological and narcissistic abuse. “These abuses are often extremely difficult to prove as it is a silent abuse that leaves no visible scars at times.”
Roper said it was not a coincidence that her jump not only fell ahead of World Narcissistic Abuse Day on 1 June but also at the start of Child Protection Week. “For me as a mother, it is my duty to protect my child, yet one’s pleas fall on deaf ears when professionals do not heed the signs and behaviour of a narcissist, or consequences for victims suffering from manipulation, exploitation and gaslighting.”
Roper urged all victims of narcissistic abuse to not suffer longer than necessary as she believes that a narcissist cannot change. She encouraged victims to reach out to family and friends and be honest with them. “Do not try and make excuses for your partner’s behaviour any longer and don’t be ashamed of being a victim.”
To contact Roper, email cdfworx@gmail.com
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