Using Women’s Month to create GBV awareness
Victims of gender-based violence must be made aware of the resources available to help them.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) used August, which is Women’s Month, to highlight violence against women.
Held in conjunction with Brakpan police, the EMPD’s Social Crime Prevention Unit and the Gender-Based Violence Brigade and Victim-Friendly Room from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, an awareness campaign was held at the Mall@Carnival last Thursday.
Stakeholders engaged with the mall’s patrons and distributed pamphlets on how to cope with and prevent gender-based violence (GBV).
“We need to raise awareness about GBV. We saw Women’s Month as the perfect opportunity,” said the regional spokesperson of the NPA Lumka Mahanjana.
Dealing with defects when buying a home
“Victims of GBV must be made aware of the resources available to help them and where to go for help.
“We as the NPA do not work directly with the victims. We refer them to the relevant stakeholders who can provide essential services to victims, like counselling.”
The campaign encouraged victims to make enquiries with social workers or at their nearest police station or magistrate’s court.
“We work hand-in-hand with the Thuthuzela Care Centre, with branches in all provinces,” added Mahanjana.
A Thuthuzela Care Centre is a designated forensic and medical service available to rape survivors.
There is a Thuthuzela Care Centre in Vosloorus at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital along Nguza Street.
