Protection Order Opened Against 1 Of The Suspects.

I AM DOING THIS BECAUSE I AM STANDING UP FOR MYSELF,  BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I AM DOING THIS, SO THAT HE NEVER EVER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE AGAIN. 
BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT HIS ONLY VICTIM. 
I AM ALSO DOING THIS TO SHOW OTHER VICTIMS THAT THEY CAN DO THIS. 
So, today I took a very big and brave step and went to the Magistrate's Court and opened up a protection order against one of the suspects.
Although I still have the regional case, it is imperative that I protect myself for the things that may still come my way, and yes of course I do not want a repeat of the things he has already done.
The thought of having him in court and being in the same room as him is quite upsetting but there is a time in life when we have to get through the difficult occasions in order to live the life we are intended and that is minus an abuser.
I also learnt something today. There is a vast difference between a protection order and an harassment order. Harassment order lasts only up to 5 years. A protection order is a lifetime of safety.
I was at court for a few hours because I completed the wrong form, so I had to rewrite the events over again which is why it took so long.
The staff at the Magistrate Court are friendly, trained and very professional. Overall it was not as daunting as I thought it would be.
If you are being abused by someone, I urge you to stand up for yourself and do what is necessary to be happy and whole again.
I wish you love and light.
#16DaysOfActivism
#healing
#gbvawareness
Rise Up Against Gender Based Violence - SA - The Truth