Former journalist speaks out against abuse
She endured repeated and violent physical assaults from her partner.
Vanessa Govender, award-winning former eTV television news journalist and SABC/Lotus FM radio news reporter, recently released a book called ‘Beaten But Not Broken’, which talks about the abuse she suffered.
She answered a few questions about her book at Southcoast Mall on Tuesday this week.
‘Beaten But Not Broken’ speaks of the trauma and shame that is often associated with domestic violence and how two educated people with very public profile jobs became the victim and perpetrator of this heinous crime.
ALSO READ: Marburg teen tells heartbreaking tale of abuse
They were the perfect pair, or so it seemed. But behind the scenes the punches, slaps, verbal abuse, bruising, beatings, kicking and strangling were ferocious.
Ms Govender said it was a memoir that took readers into intimate and often graphic accounts of her experience as a victim of gender-based violence.
“While at Lotus FM, I endured repeated and violent physical assaults from my partner, who also worked for the radio station,” she said.
0846vee
She added she got out of that relationship with her life and sanity barely intact.
“It has taken me 13 years to open up. But this is an uncomfortable and ugly cancer that exists and it exists in not just impoverished homes and communities. This happened in the corridors and offices of one of the country’s biggest broadcasting companies. Ultimately it is a book about hope and healing.”
“You can break away from an abusive relationship but you are never really free of it until you speak out about it,” she added.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
0848vee
