Foundation launches anti-abuse campaign

VIOLENCE, inflicted by an intimate partner is the leading cause of death among South African women. And in most of these cases, it begins as domestic abuse, later escalating to murder or manslaughter.

The Reeva Steenkamp Foundation, a non-profit organisation which aims to empower victims and educate the broader public about women and child abuse, has launched a multi-national campaign, #BluePurpleBlack, which aims to destigmatise and end the silence around this social illness.

Kim Martin, chief executive of the foundation (who is an abuse survivor herself), said: “#BluePurpleBlack refers to the colours of the bruise – the most intimate symbol of abuse. It is important to remember that abuse is not always violent or physical. ‘Bruises’ are multifaceted and span physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and economic abuse, intimidation, stalking, damage to property, isolation, irrational behaviour and bullying.

“We’re saying to men: ‘Perhaps you made a partner change her clothing because you deemed it too revealing, or groped a woman without consent in a nightclub. Maybe you stayed silent when someone you knew was being abused. All of these are forms of abuse. They’re symptoms of the same disease, dehumanising and causing a fellow human being to feel powerless’. “#BluePurpleBlack is an extension of the conversations which started as a result of #MeToo. This time, we’re asking men to speak up, too, through recognising their own behaviour and committing to call out abuse when they encounter it.” The foundation is calling on the public to wear blue, purple and/or black over the 16 Days (of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from Saturday until December 10), to show their support. “Wearing these colours indicates that ‘bruises’ (abuse) should not be hidden; that victims should not be silenced or ashamed to speak out or seek help and that we all have a responsibility to call out abusive behaviour.

“With South Africa supporting #BluePurpleBlack, the more awareness we create about the everyday abuse all around us, the more shame we eliminate, the more conversations we catalyse and the more behaviour we change,” said Martin. How you can get involved:

Throughout the 16 days, wear blue, purple and/or black to show your solidarity with the cause.

“Take Back the #BluePurpleBlack” through sharing your experiences on social media using the hashtag, and be part of a movement that refuses to submit to the stigma, shame and silence.

Commit to changing your behaviour and calling out abusive behaviour when you see it.

For more information, visit www.reevasteenkampfoundation.org