Her own mother a victim of domestic violence, no one knows better than Charlize Theron what it is like to live with an abuser.
On 21 June 1991, Theron's alcoholic father threatened a then-teenaged Theron and her mother Gerda during a drunken rage, physically attacking Gerda and firing a gun at both of them. Gerda managed to retrieve her own handgun and shot back killing her husband Charles Theron. The shooting was legally adjudged to have been self-defence, and her mother faced no charges.
It is this memory that is the catalyst for the work that Theron does to assist women in similar situations. Now, in the midst of the global pandemic, she has responded to the frightening circumstances that so many women find themselves in.
Together with her outreach programme, she has launched the #TogetherForHer campaign, to make sure that women and children remain safe during the national lockdown in Africa.
Through the "Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project," R18.9 million has been donated to the COVID 19 crisis with R9.4 million going to the non-profit organisation, "CARE" to fight domestic violence.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Theron said: "During this unprecedented global crisis, we are being told to shelter in the safety of our homes – but what if our homes aren't safe? For the millions of women and children around the world sheltering with their abuser, home can be dangerous.
"That's why in support of the global fight against domestic violence during the #covid19 crisis, @ctaop and I are joining forces with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation in standing #TogetherForHer.
"My team is committing $1 million to COVID relief efforts, with $500,000 specifically designated towards our Together For Her campaign, supporting women against domestic violence through the provision of funds and resources to trusted domestic violence shelters around the world. Our rallying cry is this:
"Please join us in showing women experiencing domestic violence that they are not alone – we are behind them, with them, for them, #TogetherForHer."
Donations to the initiative will go towards providing safe accommodation, counselling, crisis intervention and sexual and reproductive health services.
Theron became an American citizen in 2007 while retaining her South African citizenship. She is currently under lockdown in Los Angeles with her two adopted daughters, Jackson, eight, and August, four.
Los Angeles has been on a Safer at Home order since late March with Mayor Eric Garcetti recently extending it until the middle of May.
