Wentworth's March Against Domestic Violence

There are a number of labels associated with the city of Wentworth, but violence is one of the most pervading. People I have met are quick to describe the gangs in the area, or ask if I attended the opening of Wentworth’s “violence-free zone.” During the first week of our stay in Wentworth, a teenage girl, Tenique Stevens, was taken, raped, and killed, and her body was found on the same beach where our group had enjoyed introductory “bunnies” only days before.

I hate to make generalizations, but in this case, it seems appropriate – when Wentworth residents get angry about a community issue, they hold a march. A few weeks ago, in the wake of Tenique’s death, the community held a march against domestic violence, which some of our DukeEngage group members participated in. I was eager to attend the march, and was impressed at the 150 to 200 people who showed up donning Prevention in Action stickers and t-shirts. 

We walked through Wentworth’s streets as a group, and I looked around at the surrounding houses and apartment complexes to gauge the community’s reaction. Some people clapped or shouted in solidarity, but mostly I saw blank faces. Near the end of the march, I saw a group of four or five boys pretending to shoot each other in a mock gunfight, using plastic replicas of the very weapons that were part of the violence we were marching against.

There is evidence that this community is progressing. I met a Wentworth man who told me he was in a violent gang as a teenager, but denounced the lifestyle at age 30 and has been “clean” ever since. I also met a Wentworth man who said he raped a girl as a 13-year-old, but now travels to the United States to give inspirational speeches and sermons. On the back of every combi (a 10+ seat taxicab) is a large sign that reads “Wave if you like to take action against gender-based violence.” The signs are sponsored by two organizations – Prevention in Action (a large umbrella organization with the tagline “Working together to prevent violence against women”) and Brothers for Life (a group of men who publicly denounce domestic violence).

How does a community “get rid” of gangs and violence when they seem to be engrained in the community’s culture and history? I deeply hope for Wentworth to develop into the safe community it could be, but the journey from point A to point B is not a self-explanatory process.