December 6, 2005
By Buhle Makabane
IT IS 16 Days of Activism and moral deterioration was among the issues on the table at a workshop on domestic violence and child abuse in Bertrams, south of Johannesburg.
A tale was told that raised disturbing questions about the central qualities of being human.
The tale, of a dog that complained to God, was told by South African Police Service Captain Prince Dlolo. It explored how people had lost their sense of humanity.
"Dogs do not have sex with their puppies but humans sleep with babies; dogs do not drink alcohol and beat other dogs but humans do. Your people are killing us, they hit us with their cars and yet no-one is complaining about them," said the dog in his story.
The story caught the attention of all present at the workshop, held on Friday, 2 December at Region 8's Skills Development Centre, fuelling the discussions.
For a case of abuse to be taken seriously, abused women and children had to speak out - to their neighbours, the local police, a priest or anyone with whom they were comfortable, Dlolo said.
He advised anyone who had to report a case of rape or abuse to ask for the victim support centre, rather than go straight to the counter in the police station. "Some police officials are not yet trained to talk about these issues."
Region 8's clinic operational manager, Ella Veyi, gave information on HIV and Aids, particularly with reference to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) initiatives, especially breastfeeding and immunisation.
People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa) representative Nokufa Miya said the organisation was there to give advice and assistance. It did not try to break up people's families but it tried to help and bring them together. "But if you want to get out of the marriage we will help you," she added.
Powa had a safety shelter that can accommodate up to 10 families, but there were only three women housed there now. "December is the time of 'bonuses' and women have gone back to their husbands. After the money has been spent they come back to the centre with blue eyes," Miya explained.
"The problem is that these women do not work and some of them have nowhere else to go - we will never turn our back on them."
Miya gave advice to rape survivors, saying that a woman who was raped needed care and support from family and friends.
Another issue raised in various workshop sessions was human trafficking. Women and children are trafficked to other countries, to work as prostitutes or slaves, prompting New Life Centre to raise awareness about the horrendous crime.
The centre's Thuli Sibiya said people were often misled by other individuals because they were poor. "The sad part is that someone promises you a job and takes you to Jozi, and when you have arrived you are [forced to become a prostitute]."
Sex workers are rehabilitated at the centre; they are also offered basic English lessons and taught computer skills. The centre works to combat trafficking of women and children and to increase support for victims.
The workshop focussed on giving people information on how to overcome abuse, said social service's regional manager, Albertina Ramogase. "Come 10 December we will see what will happen - will we be able to do something about the knowledge given to us?"
During the workshop, people were tested for diabetes and blood pressure, and afterwards 20 people were awarded certificates for capacity building, business skills and baking.
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