Local police stations receive donations of care packs for victims of rape and abuse
The idea of the care packs came after the party visited the local police stations and found that the victim support centres were battling with supplies of basic care items.
The DA recently donated dozens of care packs to several police stations to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The five stations, Boksburg North SAPS, Actonville SAPS, Benoni SAPS, Crystal Park SAPS and Brakpan SAPS, also received boxes of toys, underwear and other essential personal items to provide comfort and restore dignity of victims after they suffered traumatic experiences.
Inside the comfort packs are sanitary towels, face cloth, a bar of soap, tooth brush and toothpaste, shampoo and cream.
The initiative saw the party members collecting donations from residents and businesses at Northmead Square and Ravenswood Shopping Centre, as part of a Mandela Day project. However, even after Mandela Month, donations continued to flow into the collection spots, explained the party.
According to Ruhan Robinson, head of the constituency which covers Boksburg and Benoni, the idea of the care packs came after their teams visited the local police stations and found that the victim empowerment centres were battling with supplies of basic care items.
“So, we decided to provide these items to assist with the problems that might arise. Boksburg and Benoni received 30 bags of care packs, and the other stations received 18 bags each. On top of that, each one of them received a box of brand new underwear and a box of toys for the little ones,” said Robinson.
Robinson pointed out that they have also found that the VECs across the province are struggling with supplies and funding, as the NPOs that run them are battling to secure sufficient funding.
Thank you
On behalf of the team, Ward 22 Councillor Madelaine Muller thanked all the residents who contributed towards the success of the project.
“Without your support our vision would have remained just a vision. But because of your generosity, we have managed to turn it into reality.”
Boksburg North station commander Colonel Mack Mngomezulu thanked the DA for its generosity, adding that these items will go a long way in restoring dignity of survivors.
Boksburg North CPF chairperson Mark Gilpin, who is also a member of the GBV committee in the area, was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the donated items go to the intended beneficiaries.
Former Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell, who was part of the team that handed over the items at the Boksburg North police station, said, “We are going to try and make this an ongoing thing because we have seen the need at the police station.
“It’s something very close to our hearts. It’s one of our ways of giving back to our communities, as well as the police stations for the work that they do for our communities.”
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