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There is life after abuse

Nov 25, 2024 Pastor Norman Clack, MISA, (the Motor Industry Staff Association), 16-Days of Activism, Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide, Martlé Keyter,


There is life after abuse

 

Don’t stay in an abusing relationship believing that the abuser will change, they won’t and you are enabling them by staying. “You have to decide that you are no longer prepared to be a victim. It is a decision you have to make. There is life after abuse.”

 

These are the words of Pastor Norman Clack, author of the book “I am my Father’s Child” a memoir of the brutal abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. Clack was the first presenter of MISA’s (the Motor Industry Staff Association) webinar series aimed at creating awareness on the Union’s theme for the annual 16-Days of Activism against Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide from today up until 10 December.

 

Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says Clark managed to break the stigma of abused victims becoming abusers as adults because it serves as a way to regain a sense of power. As part of its nationwide awareness campaign MISA will also be screening the blockbuster movie It Ends with Us to selected audiences with whom the Union have built relationships over the last decade.

 

Clack was 11 years old when he was caught shoplifting with a friend. After his father heard about the incident, he beat him up so bad that his blood was against the walls of his room. He was unconscious for two days. “When you are in abusive relationship, you think that it is normal. I thought that all children were beaten like I was. My family knew what I, my mom and my sister was going through but did not speak up. They kept quiet. I want to urge everyone not to keep quiet because you are enabling the abuser. I also had to realise that it was not my job to fix my father. You have to ask yourself who has the addiction. All of us has the ability to adapt. You cannot do it alone, ask for help. You will be amazed how many people are willing to help once you reach out.”

 

Clack was confronted with the very painful situation when his father fell very ill and lost everything. He had to move in with Clack and his family until he died three years later.

In his book Clack relates with authentic openness how his father’s illness resulted in pain and chaos, yet ultimately led to redemption and healing. “To this day I experience triggers reminding me of the abuse. But I have learned to manage them.”

 

You can buy the book for R250 via MISA. Just send an e-mail to mailto:media@ms.org.za.

The recording of this webinar will also be distributed after MISA shared it on our YouTube Chanel.

 

Issued by Sonja Carstens, Manager of MISA's Media & Communication Department, on behalf of the Union.

For more information contact Carstens on 082 463 6806 or e-mail mailto:Sonja.Carstens@ms.org.za.

#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY #16DaysofActivism #EndGBV

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