ABSTRACT
Introduction Domestic violence is the most common manifestation of gender-based violence in South Africa (Geldenhuys, 2014). Although the South African government regularly profess that DV is an unacceptable hideous crime, no effort from their side to curb it seems to work. In addition, most community initiatives seem to serve as a “last resort” initiative, where the victim of DV will only go for help and assistance in the absence of other alternatives. These initiatives seem neutered in the prevention and reduction of DV in South Africa. Moreover, the government has escalated DV to “priority crime” status and specialized legislation has been promulgated. A special police unit has also been established to investigate DV in South Africa, namely the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS). These initiatives, as well as national projects such as the 16 Days of Activism Campaign which is held from November 25 to December 10 every year, (Kempen, 2006) seem to have very little impact on this crime in South Africa. The year 2016 marks 18 years since the 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children Abuse campaign was adopted by South Africa. Every year South Africans are encouraged to wear a white ribbon during this period and every year DV is condemned in the media by government officials, disc jockeys on radio, journalists, television presenters, celebrities and non-governmental organizations who offer services to victims of DV. All these efforts seem to be fruitless as DV continues unabated. The ongoing and seemingly increasing DV incidents in South Africa reflect the high level of inequality between women and men. This also reflects the attitude many men in South Africa hold toward women, namely that they are the weaker subordinate gender that must serve and satisfy men (Bendall, 2010). In addition, a culture of violence prevails in South Africa. Societies where a culture of violence exists are characterized by the notion that violence is a legitimate avenue that can be used to resolve problems (Burton, 2008; Naidoo & Sewpaul, 2014). This legitimization of violence as recourse to problem resolution is intensified by the fact that South Africans encounter violence on a daily basis during their normal routine activities, or in their domestic environment (De Wet, 2003).
