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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 10 Dec 2008 Title: More reporting recorded during campaign -------------------- Many women find the courage to break the silence around their abuse and speak out stemming from the encouragement to do so during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, writes Gabi Khumalo. LifeLine Southern Africa Projects Development Manager Milo Zama notes that every year the organisation is forced to extend its business hours and put in overtime on weekends during the campaign. The 16 Days of Activism will end at an event in Queentown on Wednesday, where the President is expected to address community members. Ms Zama says LifeLine provides on a daily basis information on gender-based violence and legal advice as well as counselling to couples who are going through divorce to an average of 450 callers. However, during the campaign which aims to halt all forms of violence against women and children, the demand on Lifeline increases with the number of calls from people on the receiving end of abuse increasing. Their toll free line usually operates Mondays to Fridays from 9am with 13 counsellors responsible for managing the telephone lines. Explaining the work of Lifeline counsellors, Ms Zama said they looked at the kind of the problem and assistance they could provide before referring the caller to a specific place where they can be assisted. "People who call are about 50 percent women aged between 20 and 39 and 40 percent men, the service we provide is on all languages but due to a small amount of counsellors, the most used languages are isiZulu, Sesotho, Tshwana and isiXhosa," Ms Zama told BuaNews. She said most of the calls received were from callers suffering from emotional, financial and physical abuse as well as children who are dealing with abusive parents. "Most victims are unmarried but living with their partners, only 20 percent of them are married," she said. Ms Zama said an unfortunate aspect of the job was that it was difficult to follow up on a victim's progress and if they were coping because counsellors referred callers to other organisations or centres where they could be assisted. "This leaves counsellors with a void as they can't say whether they made a difference to the victims. "Some do call back and give us feed back though, especially when they didn't get help from the places we referred them to, others call back to thank us for helping them and say their situation has improved since calling to talk to us." Ms Zama said it was important for women to speak out and seek help as soon as they felt something was not right in the relationship, adding that some women only did something after 10 to 20 years in an abusive relationship. "They have a right to be in this world and enjoy life, they don't have to tolerate any form of abuse. They need to know there are organisations out there that are willing to support them lead a fulfilling life as close as a telephone. "They just need to pick up that phone and dial the free number," she said. LifeLine counsellor, Thilivhali Livhadi said applying for protection orders and opening cases against the perpetrator of abuse was usually the last resort when counselling victims. "It depends on the type of the abuse," she explained, saying that if the situation was not tense they would first asses the family set up. "We look at communication between the two parties. If there is no communication, we expose them to other areas of communications such as bringing in their parents to talk to them or involving the church. If the church doesn't work either, we involve social workers from Social Development Department." The last resort would be to gain a protection order or open a case with the police, Mr Livhadi told BuaNews. He emphasised that it was important to involve community structures when couples sought help, especially for those living in rural areas where services like telephones, hospitals and police stations are not easily accessible. The Community Policing Forum, Ward Committees and community members can play a vital role in raising awareness regarding abuse and alerting the police if they are aware of abuse happening in the house. "Sometimes you will find that a person gets injured but has no money to get to a hospitalthese structures can help by calling the ambulance and help the victim to open a case," Mr Livhadi. Lifeline also receives calls from concerned neighbours, friends and work colleagues or a friend calling on behalf of a victim because they feel embarrassed to speak out and seek professional help. He said abuse was very common in South Africa and that almost everyone has been in an abusive situation at some point, with abusers often unaware of the hurt they are causing. "When we speak to them, you find out that the person was not aware that he is abusing her partner, anything that is done to you and you don't feel good about may be abuse," he told BuaNews. He encouraged the victims to speak out and consult and never feel that they are isolated. Victims of abuse or anyone who needs counselling can call LifeLine toll free on 0800 150 150. - BuaNews |
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