"Marriage is Like Sitting on Red Coals": A case study of domestic violence in four villages Moretele District, Tshwane Metropole

While some studies have investigated aspects of the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA), there has been little documented exploration of the interaction between culture and tradition and women's recourse to the DVA. Certainly there are studies examining community perceptions of domestic violence but these have not explored how relationship status also mediates the nature of assistance available to women seeking help with domestic violence. These are important key omissions, that this study attempts to address. It 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.