“Male GBV survivors also need assistance,” activists cry out

Social justice movement, #NotInMyNameInternational, has encouraged men who are victims of gender-based violence to speak out and not be shy to seek help.

Siyabulela Jentile’s remarks, who is the president of the movement, come amid GBV survivor, 33-year-old Phakamani Sibiya’s continued pursuit for justice, two years after his ex-lover, Lethiwe Mthimkhulu, allegedly burnt him with acid.

The motive for the brutal assault remains unknown.

The case against Mthimkhulu was heard in the Verulam Magistrate Court in Durban yesterday and postponed to next month.

Jentile says they have always maintained that all cases of GBV should be treated with the same energy.

He is urging the KZN prosecuting team to ensure that Mthimkhulu faces the full might of the law.

Non-governmental organisation, Sonke Gender Justice, agrees with #NotInMyNameInternational.

It is urging men to contact IPID should they ever encounter challenges when seeking assistance from the police.

The organisation says while a lot of strides have been made in empowering men to get help when they are being abused, the road ahead is still long.

Sonke Gender Justice Co-Executive Director, Bafana Khumalo, says while cases of men being abused by women might be low, they are still concerning.

Well-known KZN businessman, Themba Njilo, has been assisting the 33-year-old in his fight for justice.

He says his foundation saw it fit to support a male GBV survivor in order to show the world the world that men too are abused.

In the video below, the young GBV survivor shares his story.

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