The agency says that Moonchild Sanelly, who is known for her vibrant personality and fearless voice, has partnered with the initiative and is a dynamic advocate for survivors and the leading figure in this impactful campaign.

According to the agency, Sanelly hopes to inspire and empower survivors to reach out for support and share their personal experiences. By doing so, she aims to break the silence surrounding domestic abuse and encourage a sense of community and solidarity.

Moonchild Sanelly says that she hopes that her involvement in this campaign will not only raise awareness but also encourage survivors to seek the help they need and deserve.

As a survivor of abuse herself, Moonchild adds that she is determined to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected — fostering a supportive environment where every voice is heard and valued.

In the last year, 67 358 women in South Africa were reported as victims of domestic violence, according to the agency. In the hands of abusers, the concept of family privacy can be a powerful tool, shielding abusers from accountability and rendering survivors voiceless.

By speaking out against domestic abuse and providing somewhere for survivors to talk anonymously, the Tears foundation says that it helps to give a voice back to victims. In today's world, the need for women's voices to be heard has never been more important.

According to the foundation and agency, the #MyVoiceIsBeautiful will encourage survivors of abuse to share their stories while protecting their identity, and it will feature powerful narratives that highlight the resilience of survivors.

Messaging will be shared across multiple media platforms with impactful visual materials, social media graphics, posters and digital ads. Penquin will produce videos and voice notes featuring Moonchild Sanelly, urging individuals to share their experiences anonymously.

These vocal contributions will be anonymised with AI and integrated into a collective song composed by Moonchild, celebrating unity and resilience, says the agency. 

The song will be released and proceeds from the song will go to the TEARS Foundation. Additionally, Penquin says that it will develop radio and online advertisements with powerful messages to inspire survivors to share their stories and seek support.

"We wanted to get involved in such an incredible campaign because we believe in the power of voices to drive change. The #MyVoiceIsBeautiful campaign aligns perfectly with our values at Penquin, and we are committed to supporting the TEARS Foundation in their mission to provide a safe and supportive network for survivors," says Veronica Moleele, CEO of Penquin.

The TEARS Foundation was founded by Mara Glennie, a survivor of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), involving grievous bodily harm. Glennie says that after recovering, she established the foundation to provide support for victims of rape and abuse, enabling them to find the assistance, comfort and compassion they need.

The foundation says that it provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling and prevention education services for those impacted by:

  • domestic violence
  • sexual assault, and
  • child sexual abuse.

All services provided by the TEARS Foundation are confidential and offered at no charge, according to the foundation. 

"I am incredibly proud of the #MyVoiceIsBeautiful campaign and immensely thankful to Penquin for their support and funding. Their commitment to this cause shows that they truly understand the importance of breaking the silence and empowering survivors to find their voices," says Glennie.

According to the agency and foundation, the #MyVoiceIsBeautiful campaign invites everyone to join the cause by sharing their voices and helping to provide access to crisis intervention, advocacy and counselling for those who need it.

Individuals who would like to donate to the initiative are encouraged to visit www.tears.co.za/myvoiceisbeautiful. 

Individuals who have been — or know someone who has been — sexually abused or assaulted are encouraged to dial 08000 TEARS (0800 083 277) or the free 24-hour USSD helpline on *134*7355# for immediate help.

For more information, visit www.penquin.co.za. You can also follow Penquin on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor