Victim Centre launched in KwaThema

The centre was launched through a dialogue session, at the KwaThema Hall, addressing issues of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the community.

Numerous representatives of these sectors of the community came to share their stories and come up with solutions against the victimisation they experience at the hands of their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the LGBTI, Ntsupe Mohapi says although the country is raising awareness against women and child abuse, the LGBTI community is also facing a huge problem of violence and brutal killings.

“We want the community to know that it is wrong for people to kill and abuse gays and lesbians, all in the name of homophobia.

“They are also members of the community and need to feel safe like every other person,” says Mohapi.

One of the main concerns raised by the LGBTI members was the fact that they don’t get help from the SAPS when they report cases of rape and abuse at police stations.

Thapelo Moiloa, spokesperson of the Department of Social Development, says the opening of the victim empowering centre in the community will enable women, children and LGBTI people who experience violence to get help from trained counsellors who will assist them without judging them.

“Many cases of rape and violence on LGBTI community members are not reported in police stations.

“This doesn’t mean they are not happening. Hence we saw fit to open a centre where victims can report cases of violence if they are not comfortable going to the police station,” says Moiloa.