Advocacy groups have teamed up to help survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) overcome the harrowing ordeal.
To this end, the #EndDomesticSilence campaign is held countrywide.
This multidisciplinary approach entails equipping survivors with knowledge, counselling and legal advice. The main objective is to curb GBV and inspire survivors to break the silence by speaking up about sexual assault.
A GBV survivor broke her silence during a “healing day”, part of the #EndDomesticSilence campaign, held in Thaba Nchu on 12 April.
Litlhare Semoli (50), from Botshabelo, reflected on her traumatic experience of falling pregnant through rape and marrying her rapist.
She conceded that her decision was regrettable.
“I married him because I felt ashamed about having a child out of wedlock.”
Semoli said she was subjected to ongoing abuse by the man.
“He regularly beat me, and I gave birth early. He did not financially support me or the baby and often told me he loved someone else,” said Semoli.
“Women must take care of themselves and not depend on a man.”
She now works as a paramedic and has written a book, Kgakgi: Loving Someone Who Doesn’t Care, about this experience.
The #EndDomesticSilence campaign brings together survivors of domestic violence to discuss their experiences and journey to healing.
“In this way, they heal themselves as they heal others and are empowered in the knowledge that they are not alone,” said Kate Mocheki, head of projects at the non-profit organisation People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa).
“It is very beneficial for survivors to share their stories. This helps them to let go of their traumatic experiences while gaining strength, comfort and support.”
According to Mocheki, the healing day gave survivors the opportunity to share their stories in a safe and supportive environment.
Survivors were also given the opportunity to pen down issues troubling them.
“They then burned the pieces of paper to symbolise releasing these issues from their heads and hearts forever,” said Mocheki.
This initiative is spearheaded by Powa, Batho Ba Lerato and Joko.
Batho Ba Lerato, partnered with Powa through the #EndDomesticSilence initiative, is one of 14 non-governmental organisations working in GBV hotspots countrywide.
This partnership involves training survivors on numerous aspects of domestic violence, assisting them to improve their governance structures and hosting healing days.
