Durban mothers talk about challenges of reporting domestic violence
Mothers being housed in shelters in the South Durban Basin are being encouraged to stand-up against officers who don't deal correctly with domestic violence protection orders at police stations.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development hosted a one-day workshop yesterday to commemorate 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
The department's Melissa Lazarus says women and children still experience an uphill battle when it comes to domestic violence.
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"Often women don't include children in their protection order. They'll include themselves. They can include the children - maybe he swore at the child or hit the child in front of her or hit her in front of the child.
"They don't have to be afraid that they'll take the children away from. That's the fear of most women that if you include this in the order the magistrate will put the child in a place of safety," she said.