Seek help, do not wait for the situation to get worse, this is what the founder of the Kenilworth Respite Centre, MrsSaberaTimol said in an interview this week. “There is no shame in getting assistance, rather then to let the problem develop to such an extent that it is beyond rescue.”
She said that victims of domestic violence and abuse tend to keep their “secrets” and by the time they speak up or seek help, much damage would have been inflicted which could be averted. “The moment you realize that there is an issue in your marriage, seek help so that the matter could be resolved quickly and efficiently,” she said on the 10th anniversary of the Centre, which cares for around 130 women a year.
MrsTimol said that the term, “domestic violence” and “woman abuse” under scored the seriousness of the problem in homes and shared the view that it should be regarded as a “crime against humanity.” “A violent spouse affects the entire family including children, the elderly and the extended family. Many more people are affected and becomes visible on communities.
“When we first started out a decade ago, we cared for women who came into our office was counseled and then sent back home to the very same violence and abuse. We researched and found that we needed a shelter where we could house our patients who could get professional help. We got a license for 10 women from the Department of Social Development and also for a few children. But our numbers have grown,” said MrsTimol.
All services provided by the Centre are free and this include professional help and networking with a host of other non-governmental organisations who provide training in life skills, job creation and even the development of a home based business. “Working with other groups is a great assistance and it enables us to enjoy a far greater success rate in overcoming this evil and enable families to be reconciled. We also have the support of the Jamiath and when there are meetings, we send a social worker along to ensure that the woman gets adequate protection.”
The modern day scourge of substance abuse is a major cause of violence in the home and it is an issue, which has to be tackled in a far intense manner than the attention, which it is now receiving.
MrsTimol said that men who are affected need to undergo therapy and that often, some of them resisted and inflict even more harm, before they eventually seek help. There has been success in rehabilitating family life and sustainable reconciliations, but that much more work needs to be done. Young couple are particularly vulnerable when it comes to domestic discord and said that specialist groups would have to be formed to tackle this issue.
You may contact Kenilworth Respite Centre on 031 207 6483 [email protected] Cell phone 0823252291.