This report draws on primary research in four villages in the Moretele district to investigate the nature of domestic violence in this area. In particular it focuses on the interaction between culture/tradition and women's recourse to the Domestic Violence Act (a piece of legislation designed to protect women from domestic violence). The paper explores how, in one district, men and women are embedded in a range of community beliefs and practices that shape not only responses to domestic violence, but also the nature of assistance provided. This context not only affects when, how and which women use the Act, but also highlights how a variety of institutions mediate women's access to the criminal justice system.
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