'Women should feel safe enough to come forward'
The KZN Network on Violence Against Women has reiterated the importance of making women feel safe so that they can come forward to open cases against their perpetrators.
The comments follow the resignation and apology of Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzi Manana.
Manana was granted bail after he was taken to court for allegedly assaulting two women.
In a statement released yesterday, he said that there's no excuse in the world to ever justify what he's done. He added that the unfortunate situation has left him exposed.
The Network's Cookie Edwards says violence against women and children is unacceptable, regardless of who you are.
"What we want to say to women out there - it doesn't matter who you are, abuse affects everybody. You need to come forward and break the silence. There are brave women who have come forward in this women's month and have exposed abuse," she says.