Police speak out against gender-based violence
“It is painful to see women and children being killed or raped by those who are supposed to be protecting them.”
Tsakane – Learners and parents from Shadrack Mbambo Primary School were taught about the relationship between gender-based violence and HIV/Aids during a World Aids Day commemoration on Monday.
The attendees were taught about the stereotypes and myths surrounding the virus.
Tsakane police spokesperson Sgt Lerato Mngomezulu says as the police they felt the need to mark the day with the learners.
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“We are commemorating the day during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
“It is painful to see women and children being killed or raped by those who are supposed to be protecting them.
“It is even painful to see the statistics showing that more young people are being diagnosed with HIV even after years of hard work to educate them about it.
“It is said that we still have people who look down on those who tested positive and are on treatment while they themselves don’t know their health status.
“We are encouraging our people to start testing and start treatment as soon as they can to be able to suppress their viral load,” she explains.
Mngomezulu adds that HIV infection sometimes comes about as a result of sexual violation, especially in abusive relationships.
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“We are calling on learners, educators and parents to report the incidents of sexual offences to the police as soon as possible after it has occurred, at least within three days.
“During this period the infection can be prevented and investigation can resume while evidence can be gathered easily.
“We are also encouraging them to speak out when they are in a toxic relationship.
“Such a relationship can also include sexual violation and expose people to the risk of getting infected,” she adds.
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