THE INTERVIEW
CAM: Natalie, I've heard that you left a full- time job and started a new centre. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and this new venture you've embarked on? Natalie : Sure. I'm Natalie Abrahams, a survivor of gender-based violence, and I'm a mother, wife, and grandmother. The reason I started this centre and got involved in the GBV space is that when I was going through it back in the late 90s, I was constantly told that this type of behaviour is normal and that my partner would eventually change. I would hear it from aunts and others in the community who would say things like, "That's what I go through, and you don't see me reacting like that." But I knew deep down that it wasn't right. My mother was never a victim, and I didn't see why such behaviour should be accepted. At first, it was a challenge in my marriage because my husband didn't understand why I needed to constantly talk about my past. But eventually, he started supporting me, and together we began speaking to couples. That's when we started the I-Matter centre. We provide support and care to everyone affected by GBV, including victims, survivors, and their families. Personally, I have a soft spot for children, and I also believe in reconciliation. We are fortunate that many of the women and families we work with do find reconciliation, although it's not always possible. Sometimes there are fatalities, and sometimes people decide that the abuser won't change, and they choose to walk away.
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Apostle Drummond and Pastor Sandra
June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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