In These Moments
You Are Not Alone
In these moments it is okay to feel hopeless, helpless, vulnerable and angry. The past week has highlighted horrific incidents of violence against women. People have expressed their rage, helplessness and hopelessness at the situation and rightly so. Many of us are experiencing moral fatigue on social issues in South Africa and globally.
But there are moments, moments when something happens and we have the whole world’s attention. We are in one of those moments right now, where the world’s attention is on the status of women and girls- not only in South Africa, but in every part of the world. With this comes a sense of unity. That unity gives us the opportunity during this moment to speak for all women when we speak for one because in these moments when one woman bleeds, the whole country bleeds.
Now is the Time
It is in these moments that we find the value in speaking out against sexual violence.
It is in these moments that we find value in supporting those around us who do speak out.
It is in these moments that we find value in expressing our horror, sorrow and rage on social media.
It is in these moments that we find value in watching together as these stories unfold in the media.
It is in these moments that we find value in knowing our rights as women.
It is in these moments that we find value in seeking more knowledge about the social issues that affect all of us.
It is in these moments that we find value in understanding rape culture and what it means to build a culture of respect for consent.
It is in these moments that we find value in seeking support, seeking justice and making change.
It is in these moments that we don’t look away.
It is in these moments that we find value in remembering the people that work on these issues every single day. You don’t need to feel helpless even though you feel hopeless, vulnerable and angry. If you can’t speak to anyone, speak to us.
Rape Crisis offers a 24hour helpline and face to face counselling at three of our offices in Cape Town. If you can’t speak to anyone, speak to us 021 447 9762
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Written by Zeenat Hendricks
Communications Coordinator for Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust
