16 Days of Activism: Supporting survivors of violence

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The UN further states globally, 35% of women have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of their partner and by a non-partner at some point in their lives. 

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KwaZulu-Natal based non-profit organisation, Sinani works with victims of violence - particularly vulnerable groups with offices based in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The body targets 13 under-resourced communities in the province. 

What was previously known as the KwaZulu-Natal Programme of Survivors - the NGO primarily works with victims of violence of vulnerable groups with offices based in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Sinani is an IsiZulu word which means “we are with you”. 

Director, Simanga Sithebe says victims of violence often feel isolated due to limited resources to support victims.

"We need to be aware of the victimisation process - there seems to not be enough time and support for a person to deal with the trauma afterwards. Victim support structures are really struggling to keep skilled councillors and employees at the moment. The ratios of social worker to the population are staggering," he says. 

In some cases - he adds - the justice system also receives little support in ensuring that corrective measures are in place and perpetrators are brought to book. 

Sithebe speaks about which areas of society need more attention in light of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.