Emotions high at 16 Days launch

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THE pivotal role parents play in society was highlighted at an emotional Reaching Out launch for the 16 Days of Activism campaign, held in Richards Bay on Monday.

‘We (parents) create the people we send out into the world; we mould the type of adults they become,’ said National Prosecuting Agency representative Val Harripersadh.

‘Parents today lack a sense of responsibility and unfortunately children make choices later in their lives based on what we did and did not give them.’

After relating some recent court experiences of abuse cases, Harripersadh said being a victim and then having to give detailed testimony was ‘not easy’.

‘Even the filling of protection orders and other forms is traumatic and we are not in a position to get emotionally involved in victims’ lives, so that’s why Reaching Out is such an asset to us.’

1KZN TV announcer Dumi Mabaso testified that not only was she abused, but this led to her being infected with HIV.

‘It was the scariest time of my life, being so controlled.

‘My message to any woman in such a relationship is ‘walk away!’.

‘You are of no use to anyone if you are dead.’

In an audio-visual presentation Reaching Out patron, local businessman Craig Webster, made an impassioned plea for the community to ‘get involved’.

‘The abuse starts even before childbirth, with drugs and alcohol harming an unborn baby.

‘We need to speak out strongly and get down on or knees; abuse is not acceptable in any shape or form and as someone said: ‘It shouldn’t hurt to be a child’.

‘I call on men to channel their emotion into action and get right behind the awesome work Reaching Out is doing.’

The event concluded with a candle-lighting ceremony.