FAMSA’s 365 day’s of activism against abuse

KNYSNA & PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - FAMSA, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, is fully aware of the extremely negative situation around abuse which is why we focus on addressing all forms of abuse – not only against women and children, but also against men, the elderly and the disabled for for 365 days a year.

While we acknowledge and commend the efforts to create awareness during the 16 Days of Activism, we would encourage persons to seek assistance as soon as possible when they become aware of a situation. Unfortunately statistics tell us that women and children are by far the highest victims, yet we also need to address abuse directed at any person or animal.

Statistics also show that family violence becomes a learned behaviour. It is estimated that of the children who witness violence in the home:

50% of the girls become victims.
60% of the boys will become batterers.
80% of those in prison grew up in violent homes
Sons who witness abuse are ten times as likely to abuse their partners.
63% of youths 11 to 20 years of age, who commit murder, kill the men who abused their mothers.

There are several different types of violence and abuse. The following are a few of the more common ones:

Physical Abuse – Kicking, beating, punching (all intended to harm the body).
Emotional Abuse – calling other person bad names, e.g. stupid, useless, ugly (intended to hurt the person’s feelings).
Sexual Abuse – forcing oneself on somebody without her/his consent, e.g. rape (in and out of marriage) or forcing them to observe or perform sexual acts against their will.
Economic/Financial Abuse – controlling everything regarding money (the partner has no say in money matters or may have no access to money).

FAMSA deals with abuse and domestic violence throughout the year by presenting training programmess and workshops and through counselling. We also run two programmes that address many of the issues around abuse – the WOW (Women of Worth) and Men’s Programme. Our Parenting Programmes assist parents to be the best they can be – this is FAMSA’s very serious investment in the lives of children in our communities.
In addition we offer trauma support to victims of crime and violence.

Anyone who is experiencing problems as a result of abuse and violence are encouraged to contact FAMSA Knysna for assistance on 044-382-5129 and FAMSA Plettenberg Bay on 044-533-0515.

Every year the United Nations declares the period from November 25, International Day, for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day, as the 16 days of No Violence against Women across the globe.