Crystal Park fights domestic violence

Social Crime Prevention officer, Tshepo Masemola, from the Department of Community Safety, visited Crystal Park on June 25.

Masemola was there on behalf of the department, to address the residents on the new programmes to be implemented in the community of Crystal Park.

These will focus on three areas: women, children, and the elderly, and will be funded by the government.

“The role is to minimise domestic and gender violence within the community; to establish safety for women, children and the elderly,” said Masemola.

He touched on how men would have platforms to teach other men on issues surrounding women and children.

He also spoke out strongly on the elderly, and the Act which protects them.

“Women and men have their own needs and frustrations, therefore we need a working structure to keep the community safe,” Masemola reiterated.

The programme will require monthly meetings and for a committee to be established.

Masemola discussed the types of abuse that are inflicted on women, children and the elderly.

The meeting did not, however, focus only on the women, but also on men and the role they have to play in society.

The programme will allow men to express their views and also to engage with other men, teaching male youths to respect and protect woman.

Mentoring programmes will be created for young men and experiences will be shared.

Men will discuss issues and become role leaders in their community, to change the mindset of people who commit crime.

Although the turnout at the meeting was not as big expected, the residents present were keen and interested in uplifting their community.

Sgt Lerato Mopeli, from the Crystal Park Police Station, explained that the biggest problem the community is facing is housebreaking, and suggested that a skills development centre be built within the community.

“If the community takes the initiative and ownership of the programmes government wants to implement, the government will not say no to fighting crime,” said Masemola.

The next phase for Crystal Park is to engage relevant stakeholders to be part of the programme and be aware of what is happening in their community.

The next meeting will be held at Crystal Park Primary School, on July 19, and the Department of Social Development and Transport will also be present.