‘Silence Chris Brown’: GBV organisation calls for concert boycott
Anti-GBV group Women For Change is urging authorities to cancel Chris Brown’s South African concert due to his past, stating there is no justification for abuse.
Women For Change, an anti-gender-based violence (GBV) activist group, has urged authorities, especially the Department of Home Affairs, to reverse their decision allowing US singer Chris Brown to perform in South Africa.
The hitmaker, who has been previously convicted of domestic violence – is set to perform in Mzansi for one night only on 14 December at the FNB Stadium. Coincidentally, his concert will come days after the government’s 16 Days of Activism annual campaign.
Later this month, Investigation Discovery will release a documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence.
WOMEN FOR CHANGE’S CALL TO ‘MUTE CHRIS BROWN’
In a statement on the eve of the official Big Concert ticket sales to the Chris Brown concert, Women For Change released a statement calling out the convicted abuser.
It read: “This concert comes just days after the world commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
“Chris Brown’s history of violence against women, including his 2009 arrest for assaulting [ex-girlfriend] Rihanna, stands in stark contrast to the values of this global Anti-GBV campaign, especially in a country where femicide is five times higher than the worldwide average.
“Hosting Chris Brown sends a harmful message to survivors of abuse and undermines the progress we are trying to make in addressing GBV in South Africa.
Women For Change criticised authorities for granting permission for the US star to enter the country.
It continued: “We demand to know how Home Affairs could grant a visa to a convicted abuser to perform in South Africa. This decision is concerning and indicative of a systemic failure to protect the very individuals who need our support the most.
“We must hold individuals accountable for their actions and work to build a culture that uplifts and supports survivors rather than glorifying those who have caused harm.
Calling for change, it added: “We strongly urge concert organisers and decision-makers to reconsider hosting Chris Brown and call on the public to support our advocacy for a safer, more respectful society for all women and girls.”
DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HISTORY OF ABUSE
Later this month – on 27 October – Investigation Discovery, DStv channel 171, will air a documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence.
As part of their “No Excuse For Abuse campaign,” the doccie will look at the 35-year-old’s history with domestic violence, including sexual assault, as well as multiple cases of aggression towards fans and friends.
According to the channel, the doccie will delve “all the way back to his troubled childhood, exploring the lasting impact of the cycle of abuse.”
The thought-provoking piece was produced by the same group of filmmakers who released Quiet on Set – a docu-series that has accused various Nicolodean show creators of sexual abuse against multiple child actors, including Drake Bell and Alexa Nikolas.
“With expert and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful reflections into each survivor’s experience and the psychological destruction in the aftermath of their abuse,” read a statement by producers.
According to Variety, the documentary will include the allegations of a woman – whose identity is hidden who comes forward with new allegations against Chris Brown.
“I have not spoken about this matter publicly. But that’s the only way he can be stopped,” the accuser says in the trailer.