SPEAK OUT
Since we launched our campaign in Soweto, members and visitors looking for counselling have contacted us. We understand how difficult it must be for any person, still suffering from the emotional consequences of abuse, to speak out or trust someone else with such intimate personal details. On the other hand, if the person is not prepared to confront this ghost from the past, she will not fi nd healing. The memory that haunts will always be hidden inside her thoughts, bringing... Read More
I REFUSED TO BE DISCOURAGED
I refused to be Discouraged, to be sad, or to cry; I refused to be downhearted, and here’s the reason why… I have a God who is mighty, Who’s sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and I ma on His team. He is all wise and powerful, Jesus is His name; Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same. My God knows all that’s happening; beginning to the end, His presence is my comfort, He is my dearest friend. When sickness comes to awaken... Read More
A note of thanks
I would like to express my appreciation to those who attended and supported our event on 9th August 2010 at the Soweto Cathedral. We were overwhelmed by the impact of this campaign. Not only because of the colourful event we put together, but also because of the results we have seen since then. We have been rewarded by the number of people who made use of the opportunity that day to break through the pain of abuse. And we will carry on. As we have mentioned, the Soweto event... Read More
Raped at the age of 19
I was raped at the age of 19. It was during my first year at university. I remember being so confused after a tutor on campus raped me. I knew I needed help.I wanted help, but I was just so confused. I picked myself up and went to a local physician to get checked out, but he could not help me. I lost hope and did not even think of going to the police afterwards. My next thought was to go home. I needed to be around familiar faces, people who loved me and cared about me. On my... Read More
Speech by Mrs. Marcia
Extracts from speech by Mrs Marcia Pires, founder of Women in Action, launching the ‘Save a Tamar’ Campaign at the Cathedral of Faith in Soweto on Monday, 9th August 2010. One year ago we were in Soweto to celebrate Watint’Abafazi, Watint’ Ibokodo but there is still behaviour in our society that has been striking women and they do not find the strength to strike back: ABUSE. Abuse from of any source or at any level is just not right. It means taking away someone’s... Read More
“He threatened to kill me if I told anyone”
My childhood was like any other. I was a happy child, always playing, laughing. I loved being close to my family. I was a secure child. But in an instant I lost the most natural thing a child could have, I lost trust and with it my childhood. I was raped by an older man when I was eight years old. I remember not knowing what was happening but understood that it was wrong. His breath reeked of tobacco and it lingered on my body and my mind throughout my childhood. I was so young,... Read More
Our Goal
“We will help victims to deal with low self-esteem, insecurities and complexes.” The idea of addressing the matter of abuse against women and children has been on our minds for some time. We just needed to find an appropriate time to bring it up. As pastors’ wives, some have confronted abuse at a personal level, others face it every time they offer emotional and spiritual support to women who suffer from it. It’s been said “Bruises fade, but the pain lasts forever.”... Read More
The SAVE A TAMAR symbol
This year our pastors’ wives have worked and are still diligently working, day and night, to prepare thousands of key ring dolls, dressed in different outfits representing the various national groups in South Africa. Each doll is named ‘Tamar’ to symbolise a woman or a child who has been affected by abuse in our country. By contributing to our cause, you will be financially supporting this project, the proceeds of which will go to several NGOs which help abused women and... Read More
“I lost my first child because of abuse”
I got married at a very young age. In the beginning, everything was wonderful. We were in the first stage of our marriage and things could not be better. But things turned sour when my husband started to drink. He was drinking before we got married, but promised me that he would stop when we got married. I believed him. His drinking gave rise to new bad habits. He would hang around with bad friends and would come home late. When I confronted him about his drinking, he became... Read More
Statistics on Domestic Violence in South Africa
http://www.womeninaction.co.za/category/testimony/ It is difficult to get reliable statistics on violence against women in South Africa. Although the number of reported cases is very high, many cases go unreported. The incidence of battery or domestic violence is particularly hard to measure because the police do not keep separate statistics on assault cases perpetrated by husbands or boyfriends. Many women are still unaware of their rights when reporting abuse and even informed... Read More
