The Dalton Hostel community was the centre of activation on Tuesday (September 22), when KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety and Liaison (CommSafety) took to the streets to raise awareness of the scourge of GBV.

The department, based at Umbilo SAPS, was accompanied by SAPS, the Youth Desk, Drug Free World, Umbilo CPF, the Department of Health, the KZN Society for the Blind, Blue Security, Fidelity Security Services, and Blankant Security.

CommSafety GBV activist Lungi Xaba said their focus in Dalton was motivated by the make-up of the area.

“The Dalton community is dominated by rural men. We have learnt through our regular activations that most of them still lack full understanding of GBV. We decided to come engage them directly, where questions could be asked, and solutions be shared. Emphasising that provocation does not warrant retaliation, instead we encourage them to open criminal cases, as the violence may go either way,” Xaba said.

She hopes that the message shared today could reach the rural areas where most of the hostel community comes from.

Umbilo CPF chairperson Sicelo Sibiya said the forum is often the first point of contact when incidents of GBV occur, therefore they saw it fit to be part of the voices in Dalton.

“This awareness does not only speak to men as alleged perpetrators. The abuse goes both ways. GBV in its entirety should end, and the CPF has a mandate to protect victims, and those vulnerable to the act,” Sibiya said.

He added that the Umbilo CPF is working on an initiative that would support the needs of women and demonstrate the care they have for them.

KZN Society for the Blind said it stands against the abuse of women, men, and children living with disabilities. Social worker Sandisiwe Hlengwa said, “There is an assumption that people living with disability do not face GBV. They do, however, the stigma still exists, and they end up not reporting the cases to the police.

Correlation between GBV and substance abuse also came to the fore. “Most cases of GBV occur when the perpetrators are under the influence. And when they exceed the limit of consumption, they lose a sense of reasoning. The use of substances for recreation may easily take a wrong turn,” shared Siyabonga Dlamini, organiser at Drug Free World.

Dalton Hostel community leader and PR councillor, Steve Thusi, emphasised that the community is sending a clear message. “As hostel dwellers across the city, we distance ourselves from acts of GBV and the killing of women we have recently observed in Gauteng. We encourage respect among all genders. Women remain the backbone and pillars of our households,” Thusi said.

Also read: Withdrawal of domestic violence cases will not be entertained – Police Head

He conveyed gratitude to all the stakeholders and the community that came out in numbers to lend an ear when the message of anti-GBV came knocking on their doors. The residents also got an opportunity for health screenings and counselling.

Important numbers
GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428 or 1207867#
Stop Gender Violence 0800 150 150
SAPS: Domestic Violence Desk 079 880 5966 / 082 301 2138
SMS ‘help’ to 31531 (For people with disabilities)

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