Women’s plight in the spotlight in Soshanguve
The Rietgat police also partnered the Youth for Survival NGO and the Social Crime Coordination department during the discussion.
The Rietgat SAPS commemorated women’s month this past weekend with a special visit to Clinic 3 in Soshanguve Block BB to interact with some local female residents concerning issues affecting women.
The event was part of the station’s Women’s Month activities and was joined by the local departments of social development and health.
The Rietgat police were also partnered by the Youth for Survival NGO and the social crime coordination department during the discussion. The topics covered include gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, human trafficking, drug addiction and abuse.
Youth for Survival NGO was started and registered in 2007 by Mandisa Moshy Mathe whose aim is to address social and economic challenges affecting disadvantaged communities.
Roughly 300 pamphlets of the information discussed at the event were handed out to the attendees and patients walking in and out of the clinic.
Rietgat SAPS social crime coordinator Sergeant Shabangu cautioned the attendees of the dangers of minimising any act of physical violence perpetrated toward them. The ladies were encouraged to always report any form of GBV that they have experienced or witnessed against a close friend or family member.
“You must report every form of abuse no matter how small you may think it is, because keeping quiet about it, means you condone it and it’s okay. So stop hesitating, speak out and put a stop to GBVF,” said Shabangu.
Resident Maria Rikhotso of Block DD Soshanguve expressed her appreciation to the Reitgat SAPS and partners for organising the event.
“We thank the police for reaching out to us and opening our eyes to these issues bothering us as women. We always try to resolve matters with the abusers even though we know it’s wrong to keep quiet about the abuse, from now onwards I am going to become an advocate of change by sharing with other women and stop keeping things to myself,” she said.
Rietgat SAPS describes its station as “victim-friendly” and encourages all members of the public to not feel ashamed and report any incidents of domestic conflict to staff on hand to assist them.
The Rietgat SAPS can be reached on 071 675 6250 or via the CrimeStop hotline number 08600 10111.
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