Local church hosts GBV awareness event
Local church hosted an anti GBV event to educate the community about this social ill.
Shiloh House of Liberation hosted a GBV and restoration seminar in Birchleigh on March 2.
The seminar raised awareness around the scourge of GBV.
Pastor Vera Sithole of Shiloh House said they also wanted to empower women.
“This is our third event, so we decided to do things a bit differently this year and also invite men,” she said.
ALSO READ: Local organisation to host annual GBV Awards
She added that there’s a perception that if someone is abused then it means they’re demonically afflicted.
“We need to address such false points of view and create a platform where women and children can feel safe.
“We work with the Norkem Park Police Station. We have church members who are in abusive situations and the police station normally calls us to offer counseling to the involved parties.”
Norkem Park SAPS social crime prevention and GBV coordinator Sergeant Dikeletso Mkhondo expressed the importance of such events.
ALSO READ: Music show creates awareness on GBV in Thembisa
“It’s important to educate the community about GBV and the impact it has on society.
“Everyone needs to be involved in this fight because there are also GBV cases in churches. Members need to know the signs of abuse and how to deal with it,” she said.
Men also showed up to the event to learn more about GBV and how to stop the scourge.
“People have lost their lives because of GBV. I’m here as a man to say enough is enough. We need to fight until it’s eradicated,” said Jacob Nhlanhla from the African Congress for Transformation.
