Abuse in South Africa

Abuse is rampant all over South Africa and indeed all over the world in these days we’re living in. Almost every day the news bulletins on TV and newspapers run stories on child abuse, women abuse and animal abuse. While physical abuse is more dangerous and life threatening, verbal abuse can also leave deep scars that affect the abused person for life.

Physical abuse and domestic violence is a common occurrence in South Africa. Men no longer have respect for their wives or children and think nothing of it to beat them senseless every day. Sometimes these victims of abuse die before anyone can help them. Abuse often starts at a young age and when the victim doesn’t receive any kind of help or counselling, it often turns out that the he/she becomes an abuser when they grow up. This is a vicious cycle that repeats itself throughout a generation.

Women and child abuse is the most common abuse in South Africa, but very often men are abused by their spouses or partners and are too ashamed to speak up about it. This is obviously also the case when women and children are abused. They are too scared or embarrassed to say anything or to seek help. Therefore the abuse statistics are incorrect most of the time.

There are several hotlines and help centres that have been started up so that victims of abuse can seek help anonymously. Childline is a well-known hotline that has been around for a good number of years and has been instrumental in helping several young children out of severe situations of abuse.

Animal abuse is also on the rise in South Africa. Every year there are horrific cases of animal abuse that land up in court. Last year there was a very heart wrenching case about a woman who left her dog in her car at the airport and security only found him about three weeks later. This court case is still pending.
Maybe if everyone in South Africa starts standing together and standing up against abuse in any form, we may start seeing a difference soon.