Women and children abuse – Speak up, speak out!
Over 400 cases of rape were reported at the KwaDukuza Thuthuzela Care Centre over the last year.
Despite numerous awareness campaigns and marches against women and children abuse, 419 cases of rape were reported at the KwaDukuza Thuthuzela Care Centre over the last year.
While this number seems very high, Thuthuzela Care Centre site co-ordinator Mzwandile Ndlovu said they believe the marches and campaigns do help.
“I must say that we usually get a positive response from the community when we go out and do these campaigns and that is when you get someone pulling you to the side and reporting a case of rape or domestic abuse.
“Even if it is just one person, it makes a difference because the aim of these campaigns is to create awareness and encourage people to report rape incidents,” said Ndlovu.
However, Ndlovu did admit that there was still lots of work to be done because the number of rape cases continues to grow, with about 42 cases reported in June alone.
Also read: Women unite against abuse
KwaDukuza Child Welfare senior social worker manager, Penny Dhaver, said irrespective of who does the march or campaign the impact is undeniable.
“Recently there was a child protection campaign that was held around our area and we had about 20 cases of abuse reported just because of that campaign. That was a very positive result,” said Dhaver.
She said there are people who still fail to see that they are being abused and with such campaigns especially in schools, people learn more about abuse and get the courage to report it.
Tongaat Child Welfare manager Joe Moodley also believed there was a need for more campaigns and marches.
“We deal with about 30 cases of abuse with eight to nine of them being rape cases a month. It is extremely important for the people to be constantly reminded not to turn a blind eye of any sort of abuse,” said Moodley.
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