GEORGE NEWS - As part of its community outreach programme, Families South Africa (Famsa) is currently conducting workshops to companies and communities in various parts of George to create awareness about the various types of abuse, the cycle of abuse and resources available.

Famsa renders emotional support to the community and one of its focus programmes is about gender-based violence (GBV).

According to Famsa Outeniqua auxiliary social worker, Yoliswa Mbebe, it became clear during workshops that myths about GBV still abound, and they negatively influence people's reaction to victims.

"The myths about GBV can cause people to be unsupportive of the victim. One myth is that the abuser controls the movements and dress style of the victim out of love and protection of the victim. 

This myth is ironic, because according to the Domestic Violence Act, control actually is the force behind sexual and gender-based violence. Domestic violence, which forms part of sexual and gender-based violence, means any controlling or abusive behaviour that harms the health, safety or well-being of the victim," she says.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Physical abuse or a threat of physical abuse
• Sexual abuse or a threat of sexual abuse
• Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse (including insults, name-calling, ridiculing, degrading conduct, threats to cause emotional pain, and jealousy)
• Economic abuse (including not paying for household necessities, bond or rent, and selling or giving away property)
• Intimidation (making threats or sending threats)
• Harassment (watching, loitering, making phone calls, sending letters and packages, e-mails, faxes etc.)
• Stalking (following and accosting the victim)
• Damage or destruction of property
• Entering the victim's residence without consent, where the parties do not share the same residence.

Famsa welcomes invitations to present workshops and encourages victims of crime and violence to book a counselling session to receive support and information about resources.

Please call Famsa on 044 874 5811, WhatsApp on 060 870 3210 or e-mail tcc@famsa.org.za for more information.

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