Reiger Park SAPS empowers men and women through dialogue
Attendees were urged to seek help from counsellors to help them deal with their traumatic experiences.
In an effort to empower men to play their part in ending the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV), the Reiger Park SAPS social crime prevention team (sector three) held a GBV dialogue at The Rock Ministries in Ramaphosa on December 8.
The dialogue, which was attended by men and women from Reiger Park, Ramaphosa and Delmore, was aimed at creating awareness of the 16 Days of activism for No Violence against Women and Children, which runs annually from November 25 to December 10.
A thought-provoking episode of Ufelani, a show on Moja Love channel that explores the terror of victims and survivors of domestic violence, was played at the start of the meeting to depict the seriousness of gender-based violence.
Victims of GBV also had the opportunity to share their experiences and motivate women who are in abusive relationship to walk out while they are still alive.
One of the victims shared she has experienced abuse at the hands of her partner, who was jealous when she wore short skirts or pants in public. Another victim added the act of abuse somehow created a bad perception for her male children who often thought is was right to beat up a women because they saw their father doing it.
One woman from Delmore shared her story of how the police failed her after her daughter was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend years ago. The police who attended the session stated they will look into the case again.
Meanwhile, men also pointed out some issues, such as provocation and disrespect, which they said are factors that led them to raise their hands for their wives.
A social worker from Ekupholeni Trauma Centre, Phumla Shai, highlighted the importance of understanding why gender equality is necessary in promoting unity in relationships. Shai said abuse doesn’t affect women only, but men also fall victim to abuse.
“Abuse doesn’t only affect particular people but everyone regardless of their race or profession. There is no excuse for violence,” she said.
She urged people to seek help from counsellors to help them deal with their traumatic experiences.
Private mediator and relationship coach Melusi Ngwenya advised attendees to learn to communicate with their partners so they will know what they want and don’t want in their relationship.
“As a marriage coach, I’ve observed that society is faced with a challenge when it comes to relationships because people are dating the wrong people. Dating someone you don’t love causes one to have frustrations that will eventually lead to a conflict,” said Ngwenya.
Victims of abuse are encouraged to contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.
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