As part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) hosted a community outreach at the Slovo Park sports ground on December 5.

Various stakeholders, including the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the local SAPS, the South African National Council on Alcoholism (SANCA) and local community centres like the Leratong Crisis Centre and Slovo Park’s Sechaba Community Care, were part of the event.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser at the event, DSD’s Estelle Otto said that the event is aimed at educating the community about the types of abuse that people face in society.

Before the event, the department, together with the stakeholders, had a door-to-door campaign in the area. She said the community shared during their campaign that the area experiences high unemployment, which allows victims to be abused and controlled by the working partner.

She added that the community can can enquire at the DSD about the skills programme, which will help when searching for employment.

“We are also looking at human trafficking because people are desperate for work where they will see an opportunity on social media, but it is a lie, and they end up being trafficked to different provinces or countries,” said Otto.

She also said that events like this are meant to help the community break the silence around abuse, which is often caused by fear of judgment. She advised using the centres in the area if one feels abused.

“There is a centre in the area that people can visit, and they can also go to the department in the Springs CBD for social work services,” she said.

The manager of the Sechaba community care, Lina Mnyakeni, said many struggle to understand what gender-based violence is, and believe that it affects only women.

She noted that during the door-to-door campaign, people asked for food parcels, which she said people expected from them.

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“We can help people by having them come to us and requesting our services. Our doors are always open for anybody because most of the things happen behind closed doors,” said Mnyakeni.

Sergeant Charity Zwane from the Springs SAPS told the publication that people should not be afraid to report abuse at their local police station, and should not be ashamed. She also said victims have the right to request a room for privacy where they can share their situation.

“We want our communities to report abuse, because in that way we can save lives. They can call anonymously if they feel scared.”

“We are always available, even during the festive season; people can come to the station and report a matter and also talk to the CPF and GBV,” concluded Zwane.