Parker speaks out against domestic abuse

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana striker Bernard Parker was recently involved in a 'No Violence against Women and Children' campaign.

The Amakhosi marksman joined in with Vodacom's 5km walk as part of the international campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10.

And speaking to the KickOff website, he opened up about the abuse he witnessed during his own childhood.

"I grew up with an abusive father and, until today, we don't talk - my very own father, who I saw growing up and putting my mom through hell. 

"Today I'm happy that my mom is a relieved woman and that he is no longer part of our lives."

Parker is happy that he is able to use his position as one of the country's most successful footballers to try and be a positive influence, although he also feels that communities need to stand together on the matter of abuse.

"We see such things happen every day in the locations, in the streets or at the corner shops in our communities, and what do we do as people? We stand and watch.

"In 2017, we take our phones out and record (what's going on), instead of stopping such things from happening, and that's a sad thing to see. We shouldn't be entertaining it!

"Happily, us footballers are recognised in poverty-stricken areas, which is where it (abuse) happens most, and we hope we can get the message across to them.

"We know that they look up to us as footballers, so it's very important that we also lead by example and not be seen in the newspapers getting into the wrong things, especially things like abuse.

"The world is beautiful, there's many things to see and live for out there. Don't get discouraged and think that there's no life after that (suffering abuse).

"Speak out and put your message across, there's a lot of help out there and there are many reasons to still live and other positive happenings to follow. It's important to live your life happily, freely and beautifully," he concluded.