Domestic violence over festive season soared

2020-01-23

Preparation

The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children has previously reported larger numbers than usual of survivors needing legal assistance and free counselling over the holiday period. The reason why? Domestic violence is driven by over indulgence in alcohol and drugs, and substance abuse is one of the biggest drivers of gender based violence.

Stop Women abuse in the workplace

2020-01-23

Prevention

Sexual harassment and abuse of women in the workplace has become prevalent with some high profile cases reported just this year alone. Spurred by the #MeToo movement back in 2017, the accounts of women abuse in the workplace has sadly grown. Vox.com publishes a list of CEOs, politicians and celebrities who have all been accused of women abuse or sexual harassment.

Patriarchy still at the heart of gender violence in South Africa

2019-11-07

Preparation

With the alarming amount of violent attacks against women in South Africa, we were startled by the results of an IPSOS survey which illustrates just how much patriarchy still shapes the minds, attitudes and behaviours of people regarding women abuse. In face-to-face interviews with 3 600 people across the country, the survey found that at least one in every 10 South Africans believe men have the right to physically attack their partners or wives.

The impact of women abuse on mental health and how to get help

2019-10-28

Provision

With October marking Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, it is an important occasion to understand the long term effects of women abuse on women’s mental health and how they can get the assistance they need. Birmingham University found women who have been abused by a partner, are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or severe conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, than other women. The outcome of the study not only highlights the connection between mental illness and women abuse, but also brings to light how health practitioners such as psychiatrists and GPs need to ask routinely about domestic violence and abuse, as these incidents are not always shared by patients.

Three powerful books to help you find hope and courage

2019-09-16

Preparation

Shared experience is a tangible way of how we can support one another, recognise we are not alone and find the right advice for when we need help. Today’s reality is that many South African women have either faced abuse or know of someone who has been abused. While this is an unfortunate and often terrible lived experience for many, we believe that speaking up about it is the first important step to change our situation. 1st for Women has compiled a list of three South African books which we recommend reading. They inspire hope, love and understanding, so that we too may find comfort between the pages of the stories these brave authors have shared. There’s also something to be learnt from these real life experiences. And, while there is still a long road ahead for all of us in the fight against women abuse, reading up and learning from one another is a positive step in the right direction.

How to handle your partner’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol

2019-09-02

Prevention

Falling in love is exciting, right? In the beginning, we tend to focus on the ‘best bits’ with rose-tinted glasses. “So, what? He has a few drinks every now and then.” “Yes, it sometimes gets out of hand but he’s a social drinker. It doesn’t happen often.” These excuses or blind spots are red flags and it is important to recognise the signs of excessive drinking as early on in the relationship as possible, so that you can look out for your own personal safety. The same can also be said for a couple whose partner starts to develop an unhealthy addiction to alcohol, even long after you have been together. Why this is so important for women is because of the strong link between alcohol abuse and domestic violence confirmed by multiple pieces of research and lived experiences.

Why relationship equality matters and how to build it

2019-09-02

Prevention

When we talk about equality, often we think of something being split, 50/50, and while this might be a definition of something being equal, when it comes to relationships, equality has a very different meaning. This is because equality means different things to different people and relationships are ever-changing. So you might be wondering then, why equality in a relationship matters? The short answer is when an imbalance of power exists within a relationship, the person with more power might be inclined to abuse it and this can lead to abuse against women, especially in intimate relationships. 1st for Women spoke to Intimacy and Relationship Coach, Tracy Ziman Jacobs, about relationship equality and what happens when your partner may be using their position of power to cause abuse, what are the signs and what to do about it.

Parenting Expert, Nikki Bush, shares steps to follow when talking to kids about abuse

2019-08-20

Prevention

In the UK, statistics show that more than half of child abuse victims experience domestic abuse in later life. According to Elizabeth Hartney, PhD, a psychologist, professor, and director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada, people who were sexually abused in childhood often engage in abusive relationships as adults. Some even become abusive themselves. The reasons for this perpetuating cycle of abuse can be viewed here. 1st for Women spoke to Human Potential and Parenting Expert, Nikki Bush, on how parents can best to talk to their kids about abuse to try and put an end to the vicious cycle.

Gender stereotypes perpetuate women abuse and it needs to stop

2019-08-20

Prevention

Did you know gender stereotypes can lead to women abuse? According to the UN, harmful gender stereotypes are one of the root causes for discrimination, abuse and violence. And the best way to end violence against women is to prevent it from happening in the first place. To do this, we need to address the root and structural causes such as stereotypes. So if you’ve had enough of problematic gender norms and want to be part of the solution, we are with you. Here are four common gender norms that perpetuate unhealthy behaviours for both women and men and what we can do about it.

How 1 Move and 1 Movement could save countless lives – 365 days a year

2018-11-22

Prevention

Woman abuse has reached epidemic proportions. 1 in 4 South African women are survivors of abuse according to The Department of Justice.

Technology keeping women prepared in the fight against abuse

2018-11-22

Preparation

The #MeToo movement from 2017 was certainly a pinnacle moment in the fight against woman abuse in that it brought to the fore conversations about what constitutes woman abuse, the number of people affected and what should be done to stop woman abuse from occurring.

The three biggest reasons why you should learn self-defence

2018-11-22

Preparation

It is not uncommon to hear on a daily basis stories of violence against women, attacks on women and horrific stories of woman abuse in South Africa.

Detect the red flags and early warning signs your partner may be abusive

2018-11-22

Prevention

Detecting the early warning signs in your relationship to determine whether your partner has abusive tendencies, which may over time escalate, is an important first step in the fight against woman abuse.

16 first steps to take in the fight against women abuse

2018-09-27

Prevention

During this year’s 16 Days’ of Activism against women and child abuse, there are a few small steps we can all take to stop the prevalence of women abuse in our society and by taking these steps together we can give abuse the boot once and for all.

For Women - taking a stand against women abuse

2018-08-28

Prevention

If you’re wanting to make a positive difference in the fight against women abuse, unite with 1st for Women because together we can give abuse the boot and stop women abuse in South Africa.

The positive impact of Fathers in Africa and what else needs to be done

2018-07-29

Prevention

Preventing violence is a large part of what Fathers in Africa works to achieve every day. To do this, we need to change the social conditions in communities where violence is normal and acceptable.

Fathers in Africa Addresses woman abuse through prevention programmes

2018-07-29

Prevention

In South Africa, violence against women continues unabated without any profound consequences for the perpetrator, something many victims and survivors know all too well.

My journey into Gender Activism

2018-07-29

Prevention

I distinctly remember driving home from hospital after my first child Tarryn was born, a lot more cautiously than usual. I was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility and the thought of making fathering a priority in my life. The truth is… a father was born the same day.

Recognise the signs if you are at risk of financial abuse

2018-07-29

Preparation

July marks National Savings Month in South Africa and during this time we are likely to see a number of stories offering tips and advice from financial experts on how women should be investing, spending and budgeting their money.

The women behind Lawyers Against Abuse (LvA)

2018-07-29

Preparation

As we commemorate 16 Days of Activism, we wanted to share insights from our staff that do this critical work every day.

Help is available to women who are survivors of women abuse

2018-07-29

Preparation

Because of the complexity of violence and abuse within the families, we always advise the abused women to take the abuse very seriously and not to wait, as it will probably escalate.

Numerous approaches available to women when seeking justice against abuse

2018-07-29

Preparation

The issues of safety of the victim, culture, language and the debate on the public-private nature of woman abuse have shown us how complex woman abuse is, and that a single strategy on its own will not adequately protect survivors against woman abuse.

Lawyers Against Abuse (LvA) walks with survivors to find justice

2018-07-29

Provision

Many are surprised to learn that South Africa boasts some of the most comprehensive and victim-centric legislation in the world around gender-based violence (GBV).

Paralegals play critical role in seeking justice for women abuse survivors

2018-07-27

Provision

We believe justice for woman abuse survivors is found through collaboration with the police, magistrates’ courts, and traditional courts. The restorative justice process helps to mediate an abusive incident by helping the perpetrator better understand their wrong-doing.

Three stories which could belong to you or someone you know

2018-04-17

Provision

Thuli came through our doors in 2014 after living with an abusive boyfriend since 2009. He had assaulted Thuli multiple times and made repeated death threats before Thuli came to LvA for assistance in obtaining a protection order against him.