Edenvale CPF and community take stance against GBV
“We never expected to get the response that we did, it appears to have touched people far and wide.”
Edenvale CPF plans to paint red the lips of community members and the business sector as it draws attention to gender-based violence.
ALSO READ: Local police join fight against GBV
The forum called for an end to GBV at the launch of its red lipstick initiative in collaboration with Rebel Up Coaching on November 25.
The call for action came a day after 52-year-old Belinda Peres was murdered.
Her husband Jorge Peres was arrested on November 24.
He has since appeared in Johannesburg Magistrates Court where he was denied bail on December 1, a week after his arrest.
Edenvale CPF chairperson Sheryl Damerell referred to GBV as a pandemic in society.
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Describing the seriousness of the issue in Edenvale, Damerell said the forum receives up to 10 GBV-related phone calls per month.
She said this excludes phone calls received by the police and women’s shelters located in Edenvale.
“We don’t know how many phones calls the SAPS receives,” explained Damerell.
“The Covid-19 lockdowns were bad in terms of GBV,” she said. “Community members were stuck together in their houses for longer than normal.”
Edenvale CPF committee member, Fiona Picket, explained the partnership with Rebel Up was established after meeting founder Ilse Jaquire.
ALSO READ: CoE ready to assist GBV victims during 16 Days of Activism
Rebel Up, a mental health and coaching service, was created to empower and develop women, mainly those who have endured abusive relationships.
Picket said a portion of the sales of the beauty products goes towards assisting GBV facilities.
Damerell said in many instances, the perpetrators and victims are known to the CPF members and authorities.
Despite this knowledge, Damerell said in some occasions little can be done long-term unless a victim opens a case with the police.
However, she said this does not always happen as the perpetrator will intimidate a victim or will have too much control over the victim.
She encouraged victims of GBV to open a case no matter what they are going through.
Damerell said another challenge victims of GBV and abuse face is the fact that they feel unsupported and that have no place to go after leaving the relationship.
Damerell said in some instances shelters have no vacancies to help survivors.
She said the community needs to work together to remedy this situation.“Unless you have experienced abuse it’s extremely difficult to relate.”
Picket explained said one way of helping those in need is with the assistance of corporates.
She said in most instances GBV survivors need a minimum of six to eight counselling sessions.
“In some instances, people cannot afford long-term counselling,” said Picket.
Damerell said the response has been positive following the CPF’s call for action on November 25.
“We never expected to get the response that we did. It appears to have touched people far and wide.”
ALSO READ: Local man fights war against GBV by running 1 400 kilometers
She said the campaign has united the community, which she hopes to continue.
“Through the remainder of the year and going into 2023 we want to keep GBV in the spotlight. We don’t want to lose the momentum,” said Damerell.
“We all had enough, we need to say something.”
Report gender-based violence-related matters to ECPF at info@ edenvalecpf.co.za or Edenvale Police Station at 011 454 5026.
Alternatively, contact the Tears Foundation at 010 590 5920.
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