Men learn abuse from society
Intervention classes can stop the violence
“Men need to change because no amount of abuse will make a woman love you more, she is only going to live in fear. The time for change is now.
“Communicate with your partner instead of telling them what to do and what not to do.
“My appeal to men is: don’t hit a woman because once you start, it will never stop,” he said.
Mosipa, who has now been happily married for the past seven years, said he has never verbally abused or raised a hand to his wife. Pule Goqo, managing director at Heavenly Defence Force said there were various reasons that can influence an abuser, some include being brought up in abusive families or in communities or among friends that do not believe abuse is wrong.
“Most common are feelings of being disrespected, like a man feeling challenged in a way he never thought possible, such as being told he doesn’t satisfy you as a woman.
“We need intervention programmes, they have proven to work very well,” he said.
Goqo said there were men who have changed through their programmes and now refrained from abusing women.
Petunia Mokoena, a psychologist, said no one is born abusive but the environment in which one grows up in shapes them.
“My advice to women is that once a man hits you, you must walk away or you should be prepared for more,” she said.