Breaking the silence Speaking about the abuse and violence in the home is seen as a form of family betrayal. This culture of not speaking out entrenches violence and promotes under-reporting of violence thus indicating that the number of Domestic violence cases reported, is only the tip of the iceberg. Victims of violence need to know they are heard and believed. They need to find someone they trust to talk to, to become survivors of violence. Knowledge is power The next step in breaking the pattern of violence is knowledge. First is understanding ways to break the cycle of violence within relationships, homes and communities, this is done through gender-transformative workshops that build the capacity of individuals and families to build positive, equal, and non-violent relationships. Secondly, know your rights and find the support and courage to stand up for yourself. We must increase rights education linked to practical ways on how to claim those rights when a violation happens in the home and/or family. This means that individuals and communities are empowered with an understanding of their right to dignity, equality and bodily integrity and how they can report and access their rights to care, safety and justice from the system. Changing the pattern The silence itself is a driver of domestic violence. Those who have suffered any form of abuse or violent behaviour at the hands of their partners, household members or family are encouraged to speak out. Breaking the silence could prevent others being victim to the violence, and opens up support networks for the victim, those witnessing the violence and the person inflicting the violence themselves.
One of the widest drivers of violence in the home are harmful gender norms, driven by patriarchy within families leaving most women and children voiceless. To change the pervasive pattern of domestic violence, we need to fully invest in gender-transformative programming at a policy and local implementation level. To end the pattern of violence, the voiceless needs to find their voice. Survivors and witnesses of domestic violence need to be empowered to come forward and speak up in a safe place, where they feel protected and heard. Only then can we start to break the pattern and build on a culture where domestic violence is not the norm.
MOSAIC was established in 1993 in response to high levels of violence against women in South Africa, particularly in the form of domestic violence, and in recognition of the silence that many women suffer unnecessarily, due to either a lack of knowledge of their rights, a lack of confidence to access justice for themselves, or both. MOSAIC's registered head office is in Cape Town, South Africa. The organisation is a community based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to prevent and reduce abuse and domestic violence. This is achieved by providing holistic, integrated services when incidents occur, and supporting clients through the process of healing and rebuilding their lives after a traumatic event.
Access to justice – Psychosocial and legal support provided by court support workers, and psychosocial support from MOSAIC's Sexual Violence Counsellors at Thuthuzela Care Centres Support and Healing – Counselling Services, Support Groups and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights; Engaging Men and Boys - Training and Workshops, Empowerment - Education and Skills Training, Rights Training, Youth GBV Life Skills and Community Dialogues Advocacy and Policy - Advancing rights of women and girls by providing evidence from our services to change the system. Support Groups and Counselling for Men MOSAIC creates an enabling environment through our holistic and integrated five-pillar service model
admin@mosaic.org.za https://mosaic.org.za/
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Collective Action Magazine | 27
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