Madadeni Advice Office
tel: 034 314 5091
Using Mediation to End Domestic Violence
Madadeni Advice Office Paralegal Sonto Nene
A 45-year-old woman came to Madadeni Advice Office on 21st November 2016 to complain that her husband was abusing her. She said that when he gets drunk he demands sex, insults and assaults her. Sometimes he sleeps out and comes home in the morning. He bangs doors and demands food. The previous night he woke her in the middle of the night, forced himself on her, having sex without consent. He loses money at the casino on weekends.
Mrs Nene (right) called both parties to the office for mediation and they came on 9th December. In the mediation the respondent admitted the accusations and that he has a drinking problem. Mrs Nene warned him that forcing someone to have sex without her consent is a crime. She told him that legal action can be taken against him and he can be arrested for that. He promised that it will not happen again. The client accepted the apology. Mrs Nene also told them both to stop use abusive language in front of their children.
As for money, she advised them to have another bank account to keep some money safe so the husband cannot spend it when he goes to the casino. Mrs Nene also asked the husband to reduce his drinking and advised him to go for counselling. He promised to do that. He apologized to the client and promised to change and make his family happy.
When the office followed up in January the wife said that her husband had changed his behaviour, there was peace at home and she was happy.
Many clients haven´t eaten in days, and advice office staff provide them with food, clothes and toys when they can.
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