Stakeholders put GBV at the forefront of fight against crime
Women are likely to be abused than men.
Boksburg North SAPS along with the CPF, Victim Empowerment Centre, Ekurhuleni Social Development Department and FAMSA, raised awareness against gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic violence on August 19.
All the stakeholders embarked on a 10km walk, handing out GBV and domestic violence advisory and informative pamphlets.
The Boksburg North spokesperson, Constable Justice Ramaube, said they are doing the awareness campaign to encourage victims of GBV and domestic violence to report their distressing situations.
“Most of the incidents are happening among families. Most often victims of GBV and domestic violence are women in families.
“They are likely to be financial depended on the person who is abusing them. Victims of GBV and domestic violence must feel free to come and report their ordeals at the police station. We have a Victim Empowerment Centre that is erected for them at our police station.
“Liquor contributes a lot to the high volumes of domestic violence cases that are reported at our station,” added Ramaube.
A social worker of the Boksburg North Victim Empowerment Centre, Dumsile Nqotheni, said the GBV and domestic violence campaign was also initiated as part of Women’s Month.
“With the trends of GBV and domestic violence rising, we are urging residents to break their silence and speak out. Women in particular are afraid to speak out because the people who are abusing them are people who say they love them.
“We want women to be self-reliant and love themselves in order for them to overcome the social norms and stereotypes,” Nqotheni said.
A social worker from the Ekurhuleni Social Development Department, Venessa Kunene, said from her experience abuse is caused by a number of factors, including the victim’s social standing.
“Kempton Park and Thembisa seem to be the hot spots for cases and we want that to stop through the awareness we are creating,” concluded Kunene.
The helpline number for the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre is 0800 428 428 and you can also send a ‘please call me’ to the centre by dialing *120*7867#.
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