Roodepoort Police held a rape awareness campaign at the Princess informal settlement on Friday, July 10.

Despite extensive efforts to encourage attendance, including door-to-door pamphlet distribution, speaking to residents during the previous day’s March and March protest, and driving through the area with loudhailers, only a handful of residents attended throughout the morning.

Recently released crime statistics showed that Roodepoort recorded the highest number of reported rape cases in Gauteng between January and March, although there were 11 fewer cases than during the same period last year.

Colonel Sonja Engelbrecht, one of the organisers of the event, told the Record that the high rate of rape Roodepoort requires urgent attention, therefore prompting them to arrange this event to educate the public.

• Also read: Roodepoort tops Gauteng rape stats

“There are a number of factors that contribute to rape and sexual violence, and we are here educating people about how keep themselves and their children safe, and also on what help is available to them should they become victims of sexual crimes.”

Engelbrecht added that economic dependence and cultural beliefs contribute to the under-reporting of cases.

“Unfortunately, alcohol abuse is one of the main contributors to sexual violence in our communities.”

In addition to a strong police and volunteer presence, the City of Johannesburg Department of Health deployed a mobile clinic, where local women received family planning services and basic health screenings.

Although attendance was low, police officers, City of Johannesburg Health Department officials and community safety volunteers continued engaging with residents before moving to a nearby shopping centre, where they distributed their remaining informational pamphlets and spoke to shoppers about sexual violence and available support services.