#16Days16Fails - Raising Awareness of Systemic Failures Day: 6/16

#16Days16Fails is a collection of stories by women from around the country who have accessed systems designed to deal with GBV and experienced systemic failures and secondary victimization. We'll be posting a story a day for the next 16 days to shine the spotlight and raise awareness on systemic failures to adequately assist victims of violence.

STORY 6/16: MAINTENANCE COURT

“Last month I appeared for my maintenance case. I had requested a variation from the current order. I wanted the dad to take the child off of his medical aid, so that I can add the child back on mine, and then the father should pay the difference in my medical aid, because he had already depleted his funds.  

From the moment I walked into the magistrates office, her attitude was consistent. She refused to give me a chance to speak nor look at any of my documents. She only listened to the father's side. 

She told me I will NOT get what I requested because they (government employees) didn't get an increment this year, so I must listen out for when they get an increase then come back to court. She was banging on the table telling me to keep quiet, shouting at the top of her voice and then told me she was done, I must leave her office. Her behaviour amounted to intimidation, unprofessionalism, rudeness and bitterness. 

The other failure is that in written court recordings from our previous court appearance, an order for the father to remove the child from his medical aid was given. But in the actual court order in the file, the court order remains the same and the case was struck off the roll.”   - ANONYMOUS

#16Days16Fails is an initiative by Lenina Rassool and Felicity Guest to shine the spotlight on systemic failures in cases of violence against women and children. All the stories are real experiences by women who have interacted with systems designed to address issues of GBV and child protection.  #16daysofactivism #justice #GBV #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #EndViolenceAgainstChildren