The Perceptions and Experiences of African Women in Violent Partner Relationships: an Exploratory Study
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Stellenbosch University SUNScholar Repository THE PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN WOMEN IN VIOLENT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY NONTANDO JENNIFER MESATYWA Dissertation presented for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in SOCIAL WORK University of Stellenbosch Promotor: Professor Sulina Green December 2009 ii Declaration By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. December 2009 Copyright © 2009 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to all women irrespective of colour, who are in violent partner relationships. May you gain empowerment and strength to live positively and have a good quality of life. SPEAK OUT! iv SUMMARY This is an exploratory study on the perceptions and experiences of African women in violent partner relationships. The study was conducted in two phases at Ilitha Community Psychological Centre at Ezibeleni Township near Queenstown. Since this is a qualitative exploratory study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of twenty women. In addition a focus group interview was also conducted with five women from the same site in order to gain a better insight into the phenomenon of violence in partner relationships. A literature review that focused on the existing literature concerning African women in violent partner relationships was conducted. African women’s perspectives on the experiences of abuse were explored, a gender perspective based on radical feminist views was discussed and ethnic- sensitive empowerment needs and the role of the social service practitioners were investigated. The findings suggest that many African women experience violence in partner relationships. They sustain physical, emotional and economic abuse. A patriarchal system, alcohol abuse, infidelity and failure to support the children financially have been cited as some of the reasons for abuse. Formal and informal social networks assisted these women to some extent. However, there is need for an ethnic-sensitive interdisciplinary training approach and a legal system that is accessible to rural women to prevent further battery. Various recommendations have been postulated. The study indicated a need for ethnic-sensitive empowerment programmes for the abused women, rehabilitative programmes for these women and for the abusers, and an effective legal system to curb violence in partner relationships. v OPSOMMING Hierdie studie, wat verkennend van aard is, handel oor die persepsies en ervaringe van Afrika- vroue wat binne gewelddadige saamwoonverhoudings verkeer. Die studie is in twee fases by die Ilitha Community Psychological Centre en die Ezibeleni- woonbuurt naby Queenstown onderneem. Aangesien dit ’n kwalitatief-verkennende studie is, is diepgaande onderhoude met ’n eksperimentele groep van twintig vroue gevoer. Hierbenewens is fokusgroeponderhoude ook met vyf vroue van dieselfde buurt gevoer ten einde beter insig te verkry van die fenomeen van geweld binne saamwoonverhoudings. ’n Studie van relevante literatuur wat op bestaande literatuur ten opsigte van Afrika-vroue in gewelddadige saamwoonverhoudings betrekking het, is onderneem. Die perspektiewe van Afrika-vroue oor die wyse waarop hulle mishandeling ervaar, is verken. ’n Geslagsgebaseerde perspektief gebaseer op feministiese beskouinge is onderling bespreek en die behoefte aan etnies- sensitiewe bemagtigingsbehoeftes asook die rol van sosiale diensleweringspraktisyns het aandag geniet. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat ‘n groot aantal Afrika-vroue geweld binne saamwoonverhoudings ervaar. Hulle ondervind fisieke, emosionele en ekonomiese mishandeling. ’n Patriargale stelsel, alkoholmisbruik, ontrouheid, en gebrek aan geldelike versorging van die kinders binne die gesin, is genoem as sommige van die redes vir die mishandeling. Formele en informele netwerke het hierdie vroue in ’n sekere mate bygestaan. Daar bestaan egter ’n behoefte aan ’n etnies-sensitiewe interdissiplinêre opleidingsbenadering asook ’n regstelsel wat toeganklik is vir landelike vroue om verdere mishandeling te voorkom. Verskeie aanbevelings is gepostuleer. Die studie het aangetoon dat daar ’n behoefte bestaan aan etnies-sensitiewe bemagtigingsprogramme vir mishandelde vroue, rehabilitasieprogramme vir sodanige vroue asook vir diegene wat hulle mishandel, en ’n effektiewe regstelsel om geweld binne saamwoonverhoudings aan bande te lê. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Upon completion of this thesis I would like to thank special people and institutions. A very special thanks to Qamata, “God”, for strength and blessings that kept me alive and focused. • To my family especially my husband Mxolisi, my mother and children for all the love, sacrifices, support and loyalty. • The Department of Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch, especially Professor Sulina Green for mentorship, encouragement and support. God bless you. • The Department of Social Work at Fort Hare, Dean Professor Hendricks, Director of the School, Professor Botha, for understanding and caring. • Ilitha Community Psychological Centre staff and inmates for sharing information with me. • Mrs Formson for editing the dissertation and Professor Botha for assisting with the “opsomming”. • Mrs P. Bokwe, the Librarian. • Abe Sumbulu and Thunyiswa Ndindwa, thank you for your constructive criticism and advice. • Special accolades to my father Joshua Thomas, Ndileka Mafongosi and Tumeka Dyakala (post-humous): thank you for believing in me, and for your love and support. I miss you very much. • My relatives, friends, and colleagues, thank you. • Lastly, Amacirha, Radebe, Amampondomise nemilowo, chosi camagwini, kukhanye kulunge! vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PRELIMINARY STUDY AND RATIONALE ............................................................ 1 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND FOCUS .................................................................... 3 1.3 THEORETICAL POINT OF DEPARTURE, GOALS AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 Theoretical points of departure ......................................................................... 3 1.3.2 Goal and objectives ........................................................................................... 4 1.4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD ....................................................................... 4 1.5 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY ......................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2 THE NATURE, FORMS AND CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS FOR WOMEN AND INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND PROTECTION 2.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 PREVALENCE OF VIOLENT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS .................................. 7 2.3 NATURE AND FORMS OF VIOLENCE .................................................................... 8 2.3.1 Physical abuse ................................................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Sexual abuse ..................................................................................................... 9 2.3.3 Verbal and psychological abuse ..................................................................... 10 2.3.4 Economic abuse .............................................................................................. 11 viii 2.3 CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN ................................ 12 2.4.1 Self-blame ....................................................................................................... 12 2.4.2 Silence ............................................................................................................. 13 2.4.3 Homicide ......................................................................................................... 14 2.5 NEED FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL SOURCES OF SUPPORT ..................... 15 2.5.1 Informal sources of support ............................................................................ 15 2.5.2 Formal sources of support .............................................................................. 15 2.5.2.1 Religious institutions ....................................................................... 16 2.5.2.2 South African Police ........................................................................ 16 2.5.2.3 Magistrates ....................................................................................... 16 2.6 INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES TO PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS ................ 17 2.6.1 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) ............................................................................ 18 2.6.2 The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action .......................................... 20 2.6.3 National initiatives to protect women’s rights ................................................ 20 2.7 LEGISLATION RELATING TO WOMEN ABUSE ................................................. 22 2.7.1 The Prevention of Family Violence Act, No 133 of 1993 .............................. 22 2.7.2 The Domestic Violence Act,