DURBAN - As the country marks the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) has encouraged victims of abuse to approach its VJ Kara Family Centre in Chatsworth.
The ABH is a 100-year-old non-profit organisation which provides social welfare to the aged and the physically and mentally challenged.
Another function of the ABH is to care for victims of abuse and their children at the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre in Chatsworth.
Naren Pattundeen, CEO of the ABH, said that South Africa continues to experience an endemic increase in gender-based violence.
“It is crucial for us to eradicate domestic violence as it erodes a person’s self-esteem and ability to progress in life. As a survivor empowerment centre we empower women who suffer from physical, emotional or financial abuse.”
Pattundeen added that the ABH helps both victims to deal with the trauma of abuse, as well as perpetrators to end the cycle of domestic abuse.
“We provide women and their children with free accommodation and counselling services. We help heal their deep scars and trauma. We also help the perpetrators of GBV so that the vicious cycle of domestic violence can end. The ABH VJ Kara Family Centre integrates women who have been victims of abuse back into society.”
Pattundeen said that victims of abuse often leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“Often women come to the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre and they have no funds for toiletries or food. We provide them with the necessities and offer them a safe and loving environment home to live in. We thank our supporters for helping us to help women and their children as they strive to lead a life free from abuse.”
Pattundeen urged members of the public who find themselves in a situation of abuse to contact the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre on 031 404 9523 /084 568 2493 or email [email protected]
THE MERCURY