The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign started on 25 November and will end on 10 December.
However, I feel with the way things are going in South Africa, this campaign should run 365 days a year.
Whilst the most commonly recognised forms of abuse are physical, verbal, emotional and sexual, one also has to acknowledge the mental and economic abuse of women.
Economic abuse is typically described as a form of abuse where one intimate partner has control over the other partner’s access to economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s (usually the female) capacity to support themselves and forces them to depend on the perpetrator (usually the male) financially.
There is undoubtedly a link between economic abuse and domestic violence.
The Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdowns, job losses and having people work from home has undoubtedly added strain to relationships and added to the increase in domestic violence.
Many women do not notice the red flags to identify their situation as financial abuse.
They work and earn money but do not have control over their money.
Women find themselves in a position where access to their own bank accounts are limited, and have partners who spend their money, incur debt and damage their credit records.
Many women who find themselves victims of financial abuse, start out believing that their partners want to take care of them, and take control because they love them. Sadly, more often than not, this becomes part of further abuse in the relationship.
There are different types of financial abuse:
1. The “CFO” scenario takes place when one partner in particular is in charge of the household finances. Whilst this can work very well in a good, solid relationship, it can strip away the economic self-sufficiency of the woman, and make her completely dependent on her partner.
2. Economic sabotage takes place when the abuser prohibits the woman from going to work, looking for jobs, attending interviews and earning money, thus keeping the woman dependent on them.
In many cases, the abuser might even go to the woman’s place of work, cause a scene and sabotage her employment.
3. Financial exploitation is probably one of the worst forms of financial abuse, as it often involves entirely destroying the victim’s financial footprint.
Many abusers force women to make loans and take on debt for their benefit and then don’t take any responsibility in repaying it.
Many women find their credit profiles and relationships with family and friends (who they went to borrow money from) negatively affected.
How to cope with, and get out of a financially abusive situation:
There is no doubt that getting out of any type of abusive situation is easier said than done.
Every victim and situation is different, but here are some tips to hopefully help you take back your financial power.
1. Start gathering documents for any accounts that are in your name. Make sure that the contact details on any agreements are yours, and that correspondence comes to you.
You have the right to request this from your creditors and service providers, for an account under your name. No one else may give instruction on your accounts, other than you – unless they have legal power of attorney.
2. Draw a credit report and find out exactly what your financial situation is. You are entitled to one free credit report, from every credit bureau, once a year.
3. Become financially informed. Visit sites which can financially educate and empower you about your rights.
4. You may get a Protection Order for financial abuse. A Protection Order is a legal document that specifies the conditions that an abuser must adhere to, as specified by the courts. The conditions for a Protection Order in terms of domestic/gender-based violence are as follows:
You’ll need to show a pattern of abuse.
It has to be a form of domestic violence which includes:
- Physical violence
- Sexual violence
- Financial abuse
- Emotional/verbal violence
It can also be one, more or all of the above.
Messages by Government on the 16 days of Activism campaign encourages the communities to do the following in this time:
- Be an activist against GBV in your homes, communities, work and positions:
Challenge cultures and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and consequent abuse of women and children at personal and societal level.
- Play your part:
Reject and report abusers - Act and don’t look away!
Do not protect abusers, report them!
Sign the Pledge Against Gender-Based Violence. Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser- Stop abuse.
- Challenge and denounce cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities
- Be sensitive and supportive to GBV victims. Share helpful information and support causes.
- Seek personal help to change harmful behaviours such as alcohol and substance abuse
- Teach children values of gender equality
- Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on internet and social media, including pornography, sexual solicitation
- Develop policies that prevent and deal with gender based violence in your sector, workplace and communities.
- Organise targeted community outreach and dialogues on solutions towards a gender equal society.
We have to acknowledge that men, as well as women are victims of violence and abuse but the statistics in South Africa clearly indicate that the majority of violence is being perpetrated by men against women and children.
There is a 24/7 hotline facility where you can report gender-based violence.
Emergency number: 0800 428 428
USSD number: *120*7867#
Skype: 'Helpme GBV"
SMS number: "Help" to 31531.