People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) recently brought recognition to the
astonishing amount of domestic violence that occurs in South Africa. One
in three South African men reported having committed rape, moving POWA
to create an advertisement that sheds light on the high number of
incidences in this area. The ad features an experiment in which a man
plays his drums and in turn receives numerous noise complaints. In this
same neighborhood a few days later, POWA made noise reminiscent of a
couple arguing and engaging in violence. Astonishingly, unlike the
drumming incident, no one reported any kind of noise disturbances or
recognized the noise as an indicator of issues at hand. It is shocking
to learn that community members did nothing to help the woman in
jeopardy, but were quick to complain about something that posed no
physical treats to themselves or other community members. Having learned
this, it’s necessary we realize what we would do to help this
situation. Would we help, though? Would we report the noise? Or would we
stay silent, letting this happen, and reassuring ourselves that it’s
not our business? It’s time to reconsider our roles as community
members, actively supporting the idea that we can, and will, stop
domestic violence here and around the world.
—PAVE Volunteer Kalina Seavecki
