Secunda police and stakeholders speak on GBV and trafficking

Educators from schools around Govan Mbeki attended the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign held at Oranjegloed Primary School on November 28.

This was a 16 days of activism campaign from the Secunda SAPS, with guest speakers from Tutela and A21.

The morning was opened with scripture reading and prayer with Reinette du Plessis of Kruik Gemeente declaring God’s word and favour for 2025.

Secunda SAPS station commander Colonel Vena Sigo, said: “This time of the year is our busiest time especially now around schools being closed.”

Warrant Officer Erika Schwartz of SAPS’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) Unit spoke on the different types of GBV and controlling behaviours related to GBV.

“You get physical abuse, like slapping, kicking, hitting and physical violence. Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, for example include insults, name-calling, humiliation and invasion of privacy.

“Sexual abuse, for example, forces a person to have sex against her/his will. And economic abuse, for example, is when money is being withheld that you are entitled to,” said Schwartz.

Prosecutor Tracy Keen-Horak who is attached to the sexual offences court and Thuthuzela Care Centre, spoke on domestic violence and how to obtain a protection order.

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She also stated that there are new additional acts of domestic violence which constitute ‘domestic violence’ such as:
• Coercive behaviour
• Controlling behaviour
• Economic abuse
• Exposing a child to domestic violence
• Elder abuse
• Related person abuse
• Sexual harassments
• Spiritual abuse

“Most people I speak to do not want to apply for a protection order because they don’t want the person to be arrested. The only time an arrest will be made is if they breach the conditions of the protection order,” said Keen-Horak.

She said the Thuthuzela Care Centre in Evander has trained social workers to empower victims of domestic violence.

“If you know of somebody going through GBV, be it you or a family member and know they are not strong enough, visit the Thuthuzela Care Centre so we can empower them and give them courage,” said Keen-Horak.

She said domestic violence is not gender, race or social standing specific.

“Every one of us can be a victim of GBV. If you are going through this, love yourself enough to walk away. Love your children enough to walk away from GBV,” said Keen-Horak.

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Secunda police’s Vispol support commander, Captain Newstar Twala, spoke of police responding to an incident of domestic violence.
• Police must inform the victim of the rights and available remedies in the language of the victim’s choice.

• Police officers may, without a warrant of arrest, arrest an abuser where there is reasonable suspicion.

• Police officers must without a warrant, arrest any abuser at the scene of an incident of domestic violence when they have reasonable grounds to be that such abuser has committed an act of domestic violence.

• When police receive a report of physical violence in an incident of domestic violence, and entry to a relevant residence is denied, the police may, without a warrant use reasonable force to gain entry.

• Police must arrange for the victim to obtain medical attention, where necessary.

• Police must provide the victim with a prescribed list of accessible shelters and public health establishments, where necessary.

A21 South Africa’s Nadia Heyns spoke of signs of human trafficking and to be able to identify a potential victim of modern-day slavery.

• Controlled by another person

• Controlled movement

• Lack of earnings

• Lack of official identification

• Overly fearful, depressed and submissive behaviour

• Deceived by a false job offer

• Feelings of being trapped.