Anti-abuse roadshow benefits learners

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KNYSNA NEWS AND VIDEO - The issue of violence against women and children, highlighted during Women’s Month each August, was brought home Knysna learners recently through a series of roadshows conducted by the Knysna Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD).

The last of these roadshows was held at Knysna Secondary School (KSS) in Hornlee on Monday 20 August.

According to Knysna YCPD secretary Denver Danhausen, the roadshows were centred around the theme Equipping Men as Protectors of Women and Children.

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He said the shows were an opportunity for the YCPD to directly interact with the youth and community at large, increase the YCPDs visibility, and first and foremost to educate the learners around issues of intimate partner violence (between two people in a relationship, whether it be man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman).

How it manifests
On hand to assist with this, among others, were Sergeant Warren Pieterse of the local police department; department of social development social worker Annaline Mabula; Thabiso Newman who performed a lively skit to the roaring applause of the learners; and members of the Knysna YCPD itself.

“This type of violence sees one person trying to control another, they want to exert power over the other person in their life. Sometimes one can see the violence or coming violence immediately; other times it is a process that takes place over time,” Mabula told the packed school hall.

She also pointed out some of the symptoms to recognise if a relationship is becoming or is already violent: jealousy, control, isolation and what she referred to as the two-tone or Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personality where a partner switches from being caring and loving to becoming explosive or violent in an instant.

Thabiso Newman performed a lively skit to the roaring applause of the learners, driving home a very important message at the same time full of emotion.

She also told of how abusive relationships follow a cycle. “First you go through what we call the honeymoon phase where everything is wonderful, the calming phase follows and the relationship settles. Soon the relationship moves into the tension phase where nothing you do or say is right.

Cycles of abuse
"This inevitably leads to the explosion phase – your partner starts shouting at you and beating you," Mabula said. "You might react by leaving them or reporting them and they follow up by begging and pleading and making empty promises, but in relationships such as these the cycle continues – soon you forgive and forget and it starts all over again,” she said.

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Mabula further called attention to the different types of abuse: financial, physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and psychological. In closing, she drove home the point that nobody can make decisions for you, with great emphasis.

Newman portrayed an abusive relationship and how it affects not only the adults in a home but the children too in a lively, sometimes humorous manner on stage, making sure his message was brought home, by relating the issue to learners in a way they would understand.

For further information or queries regarding this issue, Danhausen urged learners in attendance – and also the entire Greater Knysna community – to contact the YCPD. Residents can call 044 385 0593 for further assistance.

Thabiso Newman performed a lively skit to the roaring applause of the learners, driving home a very important message at the same time. In the backround is YCPD treasurer Sweetness Nzima, capturing the moment for posterity.