FCS and local church join forces
Local church and FCS strive to make life better for the victims of sexual crimes.
The Germiston City News recently met the team from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
The team is made up of 17 people, all working in various areas of the unit.
The unit is led by Capt Dokkie Tshabalala and covers Germiston, Alberton, Bedfordview, Elsburg, Primrose and Brackendowns.
The unit can be reached on 082 319 9709, 082 771 6328 or 011 776-5341.
The FCS is currently penning ideas for a child-friendly interview room.
If you would like to sponsor this new and much needed addition, call Tshabalala on 082 319 9709.
The FCS unit was bought to the attention of the GCN by the Central Methodist Church.
When asked how the church first became involved with the unit, Marlene Steyn, secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary (WA) explained’: “Our church’s WA was looking for a project to work on.
“It was about the time the Booysen young lady was raped, mutilated and killed.
“We did some research and found we had uncovered a very serious problem and took it from there.
“I looked for the police number in the directory and was directed to the FCS.
“After making contact, the unit came to our meeting, in March, to give us some very disturbing facts about rape and the outlook of men out there.”
The WA has since donated 40 “rape bags” in two separate batches.
“The idea behind the bags/project is to give the victims some dignity back and to enable them to feel clean again,”Steyn explained.
“Also, to let them know that there are people who care about them.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response to this project and are proud to say our sister WA, in Primrose, has also come aboard and donated some bags.”
Community members who would like to get involved or find out how they can help with the “rape bags” can contact the Germiston Central Methodist church on 011 873-8633, or Const Nonhlanhla Zulu on 083 719 8593.
