eMBALENHLE – Various stakeholders in the Govan Mbeki Municipal area spent Freedom Day with children and parents.
An event at Maphala Gulube Primary School aimed at creating awareness about how different government departments operate, especially those who deal with children and the elderly.
Ms Gugu Ndwandwe from Thuthuzela Care Centre said they invited children and parents because of the high rate in cases involving abuse or rape of children.
“It is therefore important to teach them preventative measures and how they should respond when such crimes happen to them.”
Thuthuzela Care Centre is a one-stop facility that has been introduced as a critical part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming at reducing secondary trauma for the victim, to improve conviction rates and to reduce the cycle time for finalising cases.
Victims do not have to move from one place to another to get help, they are offered the necessary services at one place with all the required resources.
Community members were reminded that when rape occurs, the victim should immediately go to the nearest clinic or police station before they wash themselves.
Const Motaung urged children to stop asking for money from strangers and not to talk with strangers on social media.
They were taught how to respond to crimes in a way that will not harm them.
She further said children should be vigilant during the happening of the crime so that they are able to describe what they saw.
Mr Sivuyile Sompo, a representative from Evander Hospital, urged community members to begin at their local clinics where they will be referred to the hospital.
The National Prosecuting Authority explained how they work and how children who are victims, are assisted during court appearances.
The Estate Department urged people to have their will drawn up to ensure that their children are catered for when they die.
