Legal Aid for Victims of Domestic Violence in SA

A key aspect of LvA's integrated services model is the inclusion of psychosocial support services for our clients in conjunction with the direct legal services we provide. Since 2016, LvA has partnered with the Drama for Life Programme at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Through this partnership, LvA has the opportunity to work with drama therapist students as they complete their Masters degree. Over the past two years, LvA has seen the effectiveness of using drama therapeutic techniques, especially with our younger clients. Here is a story of how one client was able to work through, and ultimately overcome, the shame and fear that she was feeling through drama therapy.

Client Story: From Victim to Superhero

While Tsipho* was a victim of sexual violence herself, it was her younger sister’s abuse that brought her to LvA. Tsipho’s six-year old sister, Kerabo*, had confided in her about the sexual abuse she had experienced and Tsipho was going to testify on her behalf at the upcoming trial. Tsipho began meeting with LvA’s drama therapist, Bandile, to prepare for the trial.

When Tsipho came to LvA she was plagued with anxiety, guilt and shame. Recognizing this, Bandile thought movement work would help her release some of the physical anxiety she was harboring. Upon suggesting this approach, Tsipho responded, “But I can’t dance.” Bandile asked her to trust him in the space and assured her that if she was uncomfortable they could stop immediately and try an alternative approach.

Using a technique called Labans Work, Bandile guided Tsipho through a series of movements that allowed her to channel and release the tension that was stunting her. After the exercise, they sat to reflect on the experience. During reflection, Tsipho was finally at ease and ready to open up about the true source of her anxiety.

For years, Tsipho had hidden that she too had been sexually abused by the same man who had later abused her sister. Tsipho had never told anyone about the abuse, as she was afraid that no one would believe her. So she hid it. Realizing that her secret may have contributed to her sister’s abuse she was overcome with guilt and shame.

Working with Bandile allowed her to finally confront her past. By creating a safe and trusting space in drama therapy, Bandile was able to help her start working through the inadequacy and shame she felt through role-play. In role-play, she expressed the desire to be a superhero that protected women and children from abuse in Diepsloot. Bandile was delighted by her request to play a superhero as it demonstrated her desire to overcome her feelings of inadequacy. It also showed that even in their short time together, Tsipho was already beginning to make a profound transformation. He was assured of this when he asked her, “As this superhero, what would you tell the women of Diepsloot?” She simply responded, “You will always find someone to trust your story.”

*Client names have been changed to protect their identity.

Links:

• Check out our website to learn more!

In July 2017, Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) partnered with non-profit organisation Afrika Tikkun to conduct a four-day workshop series for a group of 49 Peer Educators, students of all ages coming from schools throughout Johannesburg. Note that peer education is a process whereby well-trained and motivated young people undertake informal or organized educational activities with their peers.The primary objective of the workshop series was to increase participants’ knowledge and abilities to facilitate sessions in relation to gender-based violence (GBV).

The first day of the series focused on the politics of violence, which was introduced using role plays. Through this, the peer educators explored the use of power in different relationships (e.g. parent/child, teacher/child, husband/wife), and how they may lead to exploitive and abusive circumstances. Participants also discussed power, patriarchy and misogyny as factors contributing to GBV. The second day focused on the psychology of violence. In this session, participants explored differences between gender, sex, sexuality, and sexuality orientation, and discussed the linkages of social expectations about sex, gender and sexual orientation to oppression.The third day focused on the justice system and was designed to empower participants with information about the civil and criminal legal remedies available to victims of GBV in South Africa. Participants were separated into four groups, and each group was given a case study relating to a situation of domestic violence. Each group presented their case study using role play techniques. The facilitators also led discussions around key definitions in the Sexual Offences Act (e.g. rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment) as well as concepts such as consent using various scenarios.

The final day of the series focused on a therapy-based body mapping activity called the Journey of Life. The purpose of this activity was to allow the participants to explore past life experiences, both good and bad, and how they impact their lives now. For this activity, participants were asked to lie down on sheets of poster paper. Facilitators then led participants through a guided meditation. The activity proved to be very powerful and emotional for all participants. Following the meditation, many of the participants shared difficult situations they had faced growing up including being exposed to violence, family breakdowns, neglect, suicide, and sexual abuse. Given the emotional intensity of this session, a further activity was used to help the peer educators think about their inner strengths. For this activity, the peer educators were asked to draw an outline of their body on the poster paper. Then, using different coloured crayons, participants were asked to identify their inner strengths and where they want to be in the future. This was a very empowering activity as it helped the participants realise that they are not victims of their own circumstances, and that their past bad experiences do not define who they are today.

By working with peer educators, LvA hopes to amplify the impact of the workshops series as the information shared will be transferred to others.

Links:

• Check out our website to learn more!