Economic crisis leads to rise in domestic violence

It has recently been reported that the global financial crisis has disproportionately resulted in an increase of domestic violence cases.

According to the report, the unforgiving economy has intensified and exacerbated family disputes, inflamed some men’s abusive tendencies, and left some women more reluctant to leave violent relationships.

Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance Brokers and a Trustee of the 1st for Women Insurance Trust explains that starting anew, especially when trying to escape the clutches of an abusive and violent background is daunting financially and emotionally; many abused women are stuck in violent and destructive relationships simply because they feel like they have nowhere else to go.

To try and remedy the situation POWA and 1st for Women Insurance recently teamed up to launch South Africa’s first second-stage housing facility for abused women. The apartment building, which is situated in Bellevue-East, Johannesburg, was purchased for People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) by 1st for Women Insurance Brokers.

POWA’s Programmes Co-ordinator, Carrie Shelver, says that the project will help women who have escaped abusive relationships make the transition from the safe havens of POWA’s short-term and other emergency shelters in Gauteng to being fully independent.

“Through this bridging project we hope to break the cycle, reduce the chances of survivors returning to abusive environments and, provide them with the best odds at a new life that is not only independent and violence-free but, one that is genuinely better than what they previously had,” says Shelver.

“1st for Women has the interests of all women at its core and we endeavour, through the 1st for Women Insurance Trust, to support projects aimed at empowering women. This initiative is a natural fit for our Trust and we are delighted that we are in a position to donate to the 1st for Women POWA House and give all women the chance to get back on their feet. The ultimate goal is to empower women on every level to survive on their own, to be independent and entirely self-supporting.

“As such, women participating in the programme will have access to ongoing counselling from POWA and monthly peer support groups. They will also be given important life skills support in areas such as financial planning, parenting and household management. The non-threatening surroundings and outdoor grounds will offer opportunities for them to learn property maintenance and engage in other therapeutic activities such as gardening”, says Farrell.

1st for Women POWA House is available to survivors of gender-based violence, with or without children, on a rent-geared-to-income basis. However, aside from improving access to safe, permanent housing at subsidised rates, 1st for Women POWA House also aims to equip survivors with vital life skills and the emotional and psychological tools they need to live independent lives.