BRIGHTON Beach SAPS detectives took to the street on Thursday, 27 August to educate the community about domestic violence.
The all-women group handed out 1,000 brochures at local shopping malls, containing information on what constitutes domestic violence and how to get protection.
“Domestic violence is often thought to include only physical violence but the conduct that constitutes domestic violence varies in nature and frequency. We must not lose sight of the fact that both men and women can be victims and perpetrators of any form of domestic violence in a domestic relationship,” said Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
Included in the brochure was a description of the types of domestic violence:
- Physical abuse – slapping, biting, kicking, beating, assault and threats to cause physical harm.
- Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse – repeated insults, name-calling, humiliation and invasion of privacy, such as threats to disclose a person’s HIV status.
- Sexual abuse – forcing a person to have sex against his or her will.
- Economic abuse – selling shared property without the victim’s consent or withdrawing funds from a joint bank account for personal reasons without the victim’s consent.
- Stalking – repeatedly following the victim, approaching him or her and demanding to talk to him or her.
- Damage to property – such as breaking furniture and deflating the tyres of the victim’s vehicle.
- Unauthorised entry into the victim’s residence – entering into the house of an ex without their consent.
- Intimidation – written or verbal threats which invoke fear.
- Harassment – making repeated unwanted phone calls to the victim, repeatedly watching a person or loitering at place where the victim is.
- Any other controlling or abusive behaviour towards a person where such behaviour harms or may cause imminent harm to the safety, health or well-being of the person or their family.
Capt Le Roux added that anyone who believes they are a victim of domestic violence should approach their local magistrate court to apply for a protection order.
Brighton Beach SAPS management thanks Capt Le Roux and Warrant Officers Joanna Baldeo and Karen Commins for their active participation.
