Residents urged to report suspected abuse

The Ivory Park SAPS was joined by several stakeholders during a 16 Days of Activism awareness campaign, which was held at the Ivory Park North Hall recently.

City of Joburg Social Development, MEDSA, Progressive Women of Hope, Super Dimama group, Jozi I Hlomile, the Ivory Park Community Policing Forum (CPF), the Youth Desk, Ubuntu Senior Citizens, Right to Care and several non-profit organisations took part in the campaign.

When addressing the residents, the Ivory Park SAPS Station Commander, Brigadier Frank Mthombheni, encouraged people to act responsibly and ensure the safety of their community, especially the elderly and children at all the times.

“We are still encouraging the community to report any suspected criminal elements in the era. We have a victim empowerment centre. Family issues are treated confidentially. We also urge men to report any abuse that they come across at home and to not be afraid. Feel free to come and report any abuse,” she said.

The Tembisa SAPS Cluster’s Constable Madubanya, who is based in the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit, said those who are dealing with family violence, child abuse and sexual offences stated alcohol as one of the contributing factors.

Const Madubanya said they find it difficult sometimes as they attend to rape victims who are drunk and do not remember what transpired. The victims are sometimes then unable to identify the suspect.

City of Joburg Social Development representative, Ms Bridget Nkomo, informed the residents about illnesses that are attacking elderly people, such as Dementia and Alzheimers.

“We urge residents to take care of elderly people. Our society has the tendency of pointing fingers at elderly people, calling them names such as witches, not knowing that the person might have a problem. The disease is more common at the age of 65 and especially over the age of 75,” said Ms Nkomo.

She further mentioned that when the elderly are attacked by these diseases, he or she may even wake up and walk along the street at night, forgetting that they are not dressed.

Boys at the age of 12 and above were also circumcised by Right to Care.