KNYSNA NEWS - Families SA (Famsa) is fully aware of the extremely negative situation around abuse. We focus on addressing all forms of abuse – not only against women and children but also against men, the elderly, disabled, etc. – for 365 days a year.
At this time it is with great excitement that Famsa introduces a new member of the team. This post has been made possible by the department of social development. Eva Solomons is a registered social work practitioner who will be providing therapeutic intervention to adult victims of crime and violence.
While Famsa acknowledges and commends the efforts to create awareness during the 16 Days of Activism, it would encourage people to seek assistance as soon as possible when they become aware of an abusive situation. Unfortunately statistics tell us that women and children are by far the most vulnerable victims, yet we also need to address abuse directed at any person or animal.
Learned behaviour
Statistics 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 10 times more likely to abuse their partners.
- 63% of youths 11 to 20 years old who commit murder, kill the men who abused their mothers.
Forms of abuse
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 another 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 programmes, workshops and through counselling. It also runs 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 our very serious investment in the lives of children in our communities.
Find out more
Anyone who is experiencing problems as a result of abuse and violence, or those who would like to use any of Famsa's other services, are encouraged to contact Famsa Knysna for assistance on 044 382 5129 or Famsa Plettenberg Bay on 044 533 0515.
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