Port Elizabeth - On that fateful day in 2013 when Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed, she was due to speak to pupils at a Joburg school, her mother June fondly remembered on Wednesday. "On the 14th of February 2013, Reeva planned to go to the school, Sandton High in Johannesburg, and speak to the young ladies about respect and avoiding bad choices in relationships with partners. "But that morning she was shot through the toilet door and she died. She did not make it to her appointment … [Read more...] about Pistorious ‘forgiven’
oscar
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn but to unlearn” – Gloria Steinem The previous post in this series dealt with unrealistic expectations, the gradual isolation of the abusive relationship, and the effects of emotional instability. The story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp shows how these patterns can play out and how each partner contributes to them and responds to them. As Steinem says, we have learned these ways of being; we weren’t born knowing them and … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 6
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
“There may be in the cup, A spider steep’d, and one may drink, depart, and yet partake no venom, for his knowledge is not infected….I have drunk, and seen the spider”. (Shakespeare: A Winter’s Tale. Leontes falsely believes his wife is unfaithful; in reality, his distorted jealousy is the spider’s venom in their love). The previous post looked at controlling behaviour which makes space in a relationship for abuse to become the norm. Part 5 focuses on unrealistic expectations, emotional … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 5
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
“I’m a reflection of the community“ - Tupac Shakur “What does not kill me, makes me stronger” – Nietsche Following Part 3 of this series on intimate-partner violence, Part 4 looks at controlling – those words and actions which keep the partner in line, often in an increasingly narrow ‘zone of approval’ as time goes on. The controlling partner is always positioned as the one with the power (even if, in reality, this is not the case and both of them know it deep down). Although each … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 4
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
“Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together”. (Robert Browning: My Last Duchess). Browning’s poem is a chilling account of a husband’s jealous rage in retrospect. The widowed Duke is showing the poet a portrait of his late wife that he keeps behind a curtain and expressing satisfaction that she’s now in her place – completely reduced to a piece of property. Never again will any … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 3
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
“These violent delights have violent ends, And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume…”(Shakespeare’s Friar Lawrence unsuccessfully advises Romeo to take it slow). This series is an attempt to explore the story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp from the perspective of intimate-partner violence, reflected in the published words of witnesses to their relationship. Although we don’t know how it ended between them emotionally – a matter currently disputed in … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 2
Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 1
“I understand a fury in your words, but not your words…” (Shakespeare’s Desdemona, femicide victim). “These girls ain’t loyal”. (Singer and woman abuser Chris Brown defines ‘showbiz’ women) Intimate-partner violence. How can those words go together? How does the scene of love become a death chamber? As the traumatic story of Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp unfolds in a glare of publicity, there are many questions. Some may never be answered. But as we try to understand this very South … [Read more...] about Study: Oscar, Reeva and Intimate Partner Violence, Part 1
Sponsor A Child
Sponsor a child from as little as R50.00, bring the family and come watch this awesome show and join EPCYCC in CIRCLE OF LIFE. A family show starring Ian Von Memerty of "Strictly come dancing fame", one of South Africa's greatest entertainers. He joins his family, Wife Viv, Son Oscar and daughter Kasvia on stage in a show that will have you crying and laughing as he talks about his life's dramas, the child he lost and how Oscar surviving MPS6 a life threatening disease. This he does with his … [Read more...] about Sponsor A Child
