Benoni Child Welfare hosts GBV talk
During the meeting speakers said the issue of GBV is not a one-man problem.
The Benoni Child Welfare held a GBV awareness campaign on March 17 at Marivate Hall in Daveyton.
Residents of Daveyton and surrounding areas came in numbers to attend the informative GBV session.
Some of the stakeholders that were invited included police officers from the Benoni SAPS, social workers from The Almond Tree Village and other stakeholders who attended the GBV campaign.
During the meeting, Israel Sekgale of Child Welfare told attendees that the reason why they decided to hold the campaign was to address issues of violence against women and children as they have seen a spike of GBV incidences in communities.
He shared that he believes that knowledge is power, hence they decided to educate community members on how GBV manifests itself and how they should prevent being victims.
Miranda Beukes, the founder of the Avenues Residents Association, said: “People are still afraid to speak up against GBV and that causes one to suffer from mental illness which then tends to affects their relationship with friends and family.
“Being a victim of violence is so much deeper than the visible scars. Why is it so difficult for people to put an end to GBV? I believe perpetrators should be taken to a special correctional service centre where they will be taught hard how to respect another human being,” said Beukes.
Another speaker Zandile Vilakazi, of Almond Tree Tree Village, said she is often left devastated when she counsels children who come from dysfunctional and abused homes.
“The impact of GBV affects children as young as they are and causes significant mental and physical harm. This causes the child to cry for no reason. Some of them have visible scars that serve as a reminder to them that they were victims. Violence against children sometimes leads to aggression, which can lead them to commit crimes such as murder and rape when they are older.”
Vilazi said parents bear the responsibility because often they don’t show their children that they love and care for them.
“We need to show them love as young so that issues of GBV can come to an end,” said Vilakazi.
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