KNYSNA NEWS - Famsa Knysna has joined the international United Nations' 16 Days Of Activism against GBV thrust from 25 November to 10 December by stating that it will focus on all forms of abuse - not only against women and children, but also against men, the elderly, disabled, and so forth - for 365 days a year.

Famsa Knysna has two dedicated staff members providing therapeutic intervention and education to victims of crime and violence as well as other community members. 

Anybody who has experienced crime or violence, either directly or indirectly, can contact the Knysna or Plettenberg Bay office. Famsa services are limited to office hours, but anyone who experiences gender-based violence can contact the 24/7 hotline, which is manned by social workers. 

A WhatsApp or Please Call Me or Skype session can be arranged. This service will then refer the client to the local social worker for further assistance.

Famsa works closely with the police, the Department of Health and armed response units, who will refer victims of crime and violence for follow-up therapeutic services, which is the right of all victims according to the Victims of Crime and Violence Charter.

All victims of crime and violence have the right to:

• be treated with fairness and with respect for their dignity and privacy;
• offer information;
• receive information;
• protection;
• assistance;
• compensation;
• restitution.

Famsa acknowledges and commends the efforts to create awareness during the 16 Days of Activism, but encourages people to seek assistance as soon as possible when they become aware of a situation. Unfortunately, statistics show that the victims are mostly women and children.

Statistics also show that family violence is 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 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 aged 11 to 20 years, who commit murder, kill the men who abused their mothers.

The impact of family violence on the little ones must not be underestimated. They are more prone to continuing with the behaviour they were exposed to as children. Many adults are affected by A(Adverse) C (Childhood) E(Experiences). Parents are urged to get help, for the sake of their children and their future families.

Violence and abuse take many forms, including the following:

• 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);
• Harassment - repeatedly watching the victim outside or near his/her house, workplace, school or business premises or any place where he/she happens to be;
• Constantly phoning the victim or causing another person to phone the victim, whether the caller speaks to the complainant or not;
• Intimidation - written or verbal death threats;
• Sending strange objects such as beheaded dolls, small coffins, dead flowers, or dead pets to the victim;
• Stalking - constantly approaching the victim and asking or demanding to talk to her/him against his/her will;
• Damage to property - breaking the window or door to enter the victim's property;
• Cutting, breaking - or damaging in any other manner - shared furniture or the victim's clothes;
• Unauthorised entry into the victim's residence - using a duplicate key to gain access to the victim's property;
• Jumping the wall to gain access to the victim's property.

Famsa provides a service to victims of crime, abuse and domestic violence is throughout the year by presenting training programmes, workshops and counselling. Famsa presents two programmes that address many of the issues around abuse - gender-based violence education workshops and men's programmes.

Its parenting programmes assist parents to be the best they can be and to explore alternatives to corporal punishment - this is its serious investment in the lives of children in our communities.

Anyone who is experiencing problems as a result of abuse and violence are encouraged to contact Famsa Knysna 044 382 5129 /WhatsApp 061 412 1863, or Famsa Plettenberg Bay 044 533 0515 / WhatsApp 079 640 6883, or the 24/7 Gender-based violence hotline 0800 428 428. 

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