As the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children was concluded last Wednesday, the DA in Barberton visited the local SAPS and the Greater Rape Intervention Program (GRIP) offices. According to Cllr Elsabé Jacobs, violence against women and children was taking place every day and the 16 days were just a reminder of reality.
“Violence has a negative effect on our communities and we must empower all females and children to speak out,” she said. During their visit to the police station, the station commander Lt Col Sunbright Ndlovu promised to launch more programmes next year which would focus on curbing violence and abuse.
“We have realised that the SAPS can’t fight violence alone. We appreciate the work that they are doing but the community, traditional leaders, churches and schools need to become involved too,” said Jacobus. The DA donated two cakes to the SAPS and 30 boxes of cosmetics and sanitation pads to the GRIP office to assist women in need. Bernadine Swanepoel, owner of Studio Be promised that she would offer self-defence classes to females next year.
“It will not be classes to learn to fight back, but just to know how to try and get out of a situation,” said Swanepoel.
