Over fifty percent of women murdered in South Africa are killed by their intimate partners, a horrifying statistic that underlines the need for decisive action.

ADAPT is committed to changing factors that perpetuate violence against women and girls. They have partnered with the Abuse Is Not Love campaign, a global initiative that focuses on preventing IPV by driving behaviour change.

It’s encouraging that ongoing conversations around abuse are making more people aware of these shocking actions. However, if labels like “toxicity” and “red flags” are seen as nothing more than concerning characteristics, we ignore the seriousness of the behaviour that often follows.

A toxic trait feels less vicious than the harsh reality of experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and by euphemising these acts, we erase the pain of those who suffer on a daily basis. There’s a very thin line between toxicity and abuse. If the former is apparent, the latter will likely manifest.

Sidwell Sehoana -      Project Manager at Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training