Frequently Asked Questions
Am I being abused?
You do not have to wear the marks of abuse such as a black eye, split lip, stabs wounds etc. If you carry around the insults, threats, criticisms in your head or your movements and freedom is restricted and controlled, you are being abused.
Can I go to a refuge?
Our organisation can arrange for you to go into a refuge locally or further afield. We will give you information on what living in a refuge can mean to you and your children.
What effect does this have on my children
My children are not there when I get hit or shouted at so they are ok, aren’t they?
Even if children are not at home or in the same room, they will still be affected by the abuse and violence. Women often try to make everything appear normal for the sake of the children but children are very good at picking up changes in mood or the dynamics of the household. They will be feeling the effects of the violence and will find the situation very distressful and confusing.
Other questions we get asked:
- Where do I go if I don’t want to go into a refuge?
- What about my benefits?
- Will my partner be allowed to have access to the children?
- If I decide to go home and it happens again, will I be turned away?
- How do I stop the abuser getting to me?
- What is the process regarding interdicts and injunctions
- What if the children need to change schools?
- What about all my belongings, I cannot take them just now?
- How do I get somewhere else to live?