Wonderboom speaks out against GBV
Domestic violence among LGBTQI couples was one of the main topics of discussion.
The community of Wonderboom and Wonderboom SAPS recently gathered to hold an outreach event aimed at addressing the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).
The event took place on May 15 on Myburgh Street in Capital Park.
Special guests in attendance included Loodewyk Hattingh, Mr Pretoria Gay Pride 2024, and Gert Claasen Smith, Mr Gay Nation 2024. Stakeholders were members of the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP), CPF, Pro Shield security services, Best Care Medical Services, and various NGOs.
The event began with a moment of silence for all GBV victims who have died at the hands of their partners after a chaplain read scripture.
“The country has a high volume of femicide, victimisation of the LGBTQI+, rape, and other related crimes. This opened a dialogue on how we can improve their service, especially when handling victims of gender-based violence and the LGBTQI+ community. The station has already put in place a victim empowerment-friendly room and is recruiting several NGOs to assist the police,” police spokesperson Constable Thabang Nkhumise said.
Stakeholders also spoke about the broader term of GBV to not only be physical abuse but all kinds of abuse like mental abuse, cyberbullying and even not just violence against women but also violence against the LGBTQI community.
“There is violence happening between men and men, women and women, and even less spoken about violence against the transgender community, violence against children, especially boy children, which people tend not to take so seriously. Our roles as humans are to look for signs of abuse and speak up even with men that does not really talk about their feelings. People think men don’t go through forms of abuse as well,” Gert Classen Smith said.
Corrective rape, especially in the rural communities, was another topic touched on and the need for more awareness campaigns needed from SAPS.
“We need to promote safe spaces for individuals to speak up and feel safe to do so, especially from the LGBTQI community when they approach SAPS. It’s about mutual respect needed from all sides, regardless of beliefs or upbringing,” Smith said.
Community and family rejection of LGBTQI youth was also identified as another form of abuse affecting community members. Parents were encouraged not to abandon their children for being different.
The station commander thanked everyone who was in attendance and further stated that the community of her policing precinct mostly comprises elderly people.
“We must ensure that they are protected by all means.”
Lastly, she said that the SAPS is growing from strength to strength due to the joint effort by all the stakeholders.
For whistleblowing, the community was advised to report and use all the SAPS platforms to reach out to the station.
They were advised to call their local police stations, use the website www.saps.gov.za, send their complaint to complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za, use the MySAPS app or contact the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111.
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