In support of 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children, loveLife is running 16 blogs by 16 South African thought-leaders.
The blog gives victims of abuse the chance to share their stories, express their views and take a stand against abuse. It will be live during the 16 Days of Activism, from 25 November to 10 December.
"It is a unique way to highlight the devastation wrought by abuse by giving people the opportunity to share experiences of their own and others' abuse," says loveLife's head of media, Beathur Mgoza Baker. "Readers can find out about experiences similar to their own and gain strength in the knowledge that they are not alone."
Contributors to the loveLife blog include musician Kelly Khumalo and columnist Khaya Dlanga. The blog will also feature articles from loveLife's media team, readers of loveLife's UNCUT magazine and members of the organisation's social media sites.
For Khumalo, the loveLife blog was a platform to speak out about her violent relationship with singer and convicted murderer Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye. "The signs were always there, when I think about it," Khumalo writes. "Disclosing to the country that I was being abused helped me a lot in walking away from Molemo. I knew that if I went back to him, I would be letting the whole country down. There were times when I did go back and felt so guilty because of this. I know I made a good decision - for me and my son."
"It serves as an empowerment tool, offering information on where to get help and fostering healing through providing a platform for survivors to express difficult thoughts and feelings," Mgoza Baker adds.
Dlanga's blog post is a little different, as he puts the spotlight on love, abuse and money. Dlanga discusses how men can use money to get sex and how women pretend to love someone because they are after his assets.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism, loveLife has partnered with artist Kudzanai Chiurai who will host an art therapy workshop with 16 young survivors of abuse. Artwork produced in these workshops will be showcased on the blog.
All blog posts will be linked to the HIV prevention programme's Nakanjani Campaign, which encourages young people to show resilience in dealing with adverse circumstances. The loveLife blog also offers tips for those currently experiencing abuse. Readers can access free telephonic counselling through loveLife's Youth Line on 0800 121 900 and Plz Cal Me service on (083) 323 1023.