16 Days of Activism campaign launch hits hard in Primrose
We must all work together if we are to defeat crime.
The Primrose SAPS launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in Primrose business district and surrounding areas on Friday.
Various stakeholders, including Crime Prevention Wardens, the Youth Crime Prevention Desk and Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre joined the launch.
Members handed residents information pamphlets on mental health, GBV, domestic violence and children’s rights.
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A 5km walk against the abuse of women and children went from Oak to Beaconsfield avenues.
Along the way, they engaged residents one-on-one on GBV and domestic violence.
Sergeant Styles Maome, the Primrose SAPS communications officer, said the start of the campaign is a declaration from the SAPS that it would not tolerate the mistreatment of women and children.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Phuti Lamola, the station is equipped to handle any abuse reports it gets.
He asked residents to report abuse and urged men, who typically don’t discuss their difficulties, to get counselling.
“The SAPS in Primrose will not accept any kind of abuse. With the help of this campaign, we hope to inspire women to take leadership of their homes and unite like those of 1956.
“If men physically abuse them, they ought to turn to one another for support and report to the station,” said Lamola.”
“In the past, incidences of abuse leading to death were seen throughout the country, and we do not want it to happen in Primrose,” said Lamola.
Maome said the SAPS collaborates with various partners to address GBV, domestic abuse, and child abuse.
“We recently became involved with the National Institute for Crime
Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders’ (Nicro) LGBTQ+ awareness campaign. The Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre located at the station provides the community with various services.”
Ekupholeni is an NPO with a head branch in Katlehong, which has satellite offices at different police stations, including the Primrose SAPS.
Sibongile Daba from the centre said they offer social crime prevention and victim empowerment programmes.
“We engage with individuals, families and communities in a comprehensive, holistic process of healing, recovery and empowerment.
“The centre was established by a former Department of Health psychologist in response to the potentially long-term effects of trauma caused by community violence and killings.
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“The organisation has experience in promoting social justice, gender equality, strengthening community response to HIV, and promoting social and behaviour change communication programming,” said Daba.
“In Primrose, we have engaged in door-to-door awareness campaigns to capacitate the community with relevant information. We offer psychosocial services to victims of GBV or trauma,” said Daba.
“Our victim-friendly rooms (VFR) are in the stations we operate from. We also do referrals to relevant stakeholders when needed,” said Daba.
The campaign allowed the Primrose Youth Desk to introduce its new T-shirts, sponsored by local business CS Continental Meat.
The manager of CS Continental Meat, Claidiu Vela, took part in the launch.
“It was appropriate to make any possible contributions to the fight against crime in general and abuse of women and children.
“The resources we provide law enforcement officials will enable them to effectively carry out their duties as part of our ongoing fight against crime,” said Vela.
Primrose Youth Desk chairperson Adil Bingle said they commonly engage with the community in awareness campaigns to discourage residents from committing crimes and offer motivational talks.
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“We sensitise residents about GBV, house burglary and theft,” said Bingle.
“Participating in the 16 Days campaigns as young people demonstrates that there is hope for the future and that we are prepared for change.
“We anticipate reaching a larger audience than usual during the campaign and persuading people to discuss their problems and look for solutions,” said Bingle.
