Speaking up about abuse is an important part of healing – that was one of the key messages delivered to boys during a workshop at Tafelsig High School last week.
The two-hour Breaking Silence workshop on male childhood trauma for about 60 pupils from Grade 8 to 11 was run by the Mitchell’s Plain Development Action Collective (MPDAC) and children’s rights organisation Molo Songololo.
“The participants deep dived into tough conversations around mental health, childhood trauma, and seeking help when it’s needed most,” said MPDAC project coordinator Tyrone Parks.
The workshop was preceded by a short film, Lost Hope, which is based on the life story of actor and film-maker Earl Hendricks, who experienced sexual abuse as a child.
The short film was co-written, co-directed and co-produced by Mr Hendricks and Norman Leslie, of Brackenfell. The two met when Mr Leslie was a junior writer on the television programme Arendsvlei.
Mr Hendricks was born in Westridge and raised in Retreat. He attended Heathfield High but dropped out in Grade 11 due to family circumstances.
“I was homeless as a teenager for a number of years, but I never lost sight of my dreams. I worked hard and giving up was never an option. I ended up going from homeless to Hollywood in five years,” he said.
“Lost Hope was part of my healing process and raising awareness for an often overlooked side of gender-based violence: the male victim’s point of view.”
It was important for children on the Cape Flats to hear stories of overcoming abuse from people they could relate to, he said.
“It’s one thing for these kids to hear stories of overcoming, but when that person looks and sounds like them, grew up in their neighbourhoods, that level of representation hits home because they see me making a success against all odds and they understand that they too can reach for the stars.”
Mr Hendricks encouraged boys and men to speak out about their abuse.
“Speaking leads to healing. We need to listen to and believe all survivors, especially men and boys because our society doesn’t really allow for men of colour to be vulnerable and ask for help due to the standards of masculinity we are held up to.”
Mr Leslie said it was important for the pupils to know that they need not be scared to ask for help if they were struggling with sensitive issues.
“Boys are allowed to cry and ask for help. Struggling with issues like mental health, trauma and sexuality isn’t an isolated occurrence. There are a lot of people struggling with these issues and it’s time we start talking about it more,” he said.
On Friday November 1, MPDAC presented certificates to Grade 8 pupils who completed a five-week programme on toxic masculinity run by Genderworks.
Mr Parks said behavioural challenges were particularly prevalent among boys at Tafelsig High.
“Male learners are more likely to be disciplined than female learners. They also have higher numbers of suspensions and expulsions. This programme aims to support young men in facing challenges, finding constructive ways of reconfiguring their masculinity and changing their behaviour so they become allies of women and other men,” he said.
Genderworks facilitator Lesley Thomas said the programme helped young men to develop emotional language to talk about their experiences.
