Abstract:
South Africa suffers a scourge of domestic violence. Colonial oppression upset the delicate
balance between ‘discipline’ and ‘protection’ in traditional cultures. The full consequence of a
patriarchal mindset of male control is unleashed on girls and women. The aim of this article
is to investigate how the cycle of domestic violence can be broken and what role pastoral
counsellors can play with regard to both victims and offenders in order to prevent history
from repeating itself. The article also investigates the extent to which legislation has succeeded
in protecting individuals. Pastoral care and counselling comprise both spiritual and emotional
support. The combination of two counselling methods compatible with religious themes
such as ‘hope’ and ‘new life’, namely logotherapy (Victor Frankl) and narrative pastoral
counselling, is presented as an effective response to domestic violence.
