How victims of gender-based violence can be assisted in Edenvale
“We need to control our feelings and calm down before it escalates into a serious matter. It is important to communicate with one another and understand one another.”
With the launch of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the NEWS met with community stakeholders to learn more about how victims of gender-based violence can seek assistance.
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The international campaign is held between November 25 and December 10 to oppose violence against women and children.
It hopes to create awareness about the negative impact violence and abuse have on women and children.
The senior social worker of Child Welfare SA – Edenvale and Bedfordview, Rangarirai Mkumbira, said although the Edenvale branch does not specifically focus on assisting abused adults, it will assist victims to the best of its ability.
She said the Edenvale branch focuses mainly on assisting children.
“If a victim of gender-based violence comes to us, we won’t turn them away.
“We will help to the best of our ability, speak with them and put them in contact with a counsellor or the police.”
Mkumbira said in all of her time working in Edenvale, she has never dealt with a case where an adult was abused.
However, she highlighted that other branches do offer services to assist abused adults.
“When we do receive reports of domestic violence from community members, it is usually brought to our attention because of concern for the child’s welfare.”
Mkumbira explained that when it comes to children, the welfare primarily deals with neglect and abuse cases.
“Most of the abuse cases are related to corporal punishment by parents and brought to our attention by schools or teachers.
“Once a teacher starts noticing signs of abuse, they will monitor the situation and pass the information on to the welfare and speak to the parents.”
Mkumbira said if parents do not cooperate, the welfare will get directly involved.
She said in severe cases, children will have bruises on them, show discomfort when sitting down or regress and isolate themselves.
She said overall, there have not been too many cases of child abuse within the Edenvale and Bedfordview areas.
Edenvale SAPS communications officer and head of the Social Crime Prevention Unit Sgt Jacob Mashile said when compared to crime stats of previous years, there was an increase in sexual offences during the 2018/19 year.
During the 2018/19 year, nine rape, nine sexual assault, one attempted sexual offence and five contact sexual offence cases were reported at Edenvale Police Station.
Mashile said despite the increase, Edenvale Police Station does have fewer sexual offence-related crimes than other policing precincts.
He said many victims of sexual offence-related crimes and domestic abuse are sitting behind closed doors and do not come forward.
“They need to come to the SAPS for assistance,” said Mashile.
He said the station does have a victim-empowerment centre which is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
“In the past three months, there were about seven cases of domestic abuse.
“The police work in partnership with the Department of Social Development and the court if there is an instance where the perpetrator is a repeat offender.”
Mashile said when analysing the most recent statistics, victims of gender-based violence tend to be mainly women between the ages of 25 and 30.
He said the perpetrators of the crimes are mainly men between the ages of 40 and 45.
When a victim of gender-based violence does approach the police, Mashile said the matter will be treated with confidentiality and in a respectful manner.
“I think what needs to happen in order to reduce the number of gender-based violence crimes is that as a community, we need to return to a spirit of ubuntu.
“We need to control our feelings and calm down before it escalates into a serious matter. It is important to communicate with one another and understand one another.”
Mashile advised community members to avoid the use of alcohol and narcotics, as they contribute to crimes.
To report any crime or crime related to gender-based violence, call:
• 10111
• 086 001 0111
• 071 675 6840 for Sector One
• 071 675 6841 for Sector Two
• 071 675 6842 for Sector Three
• 071 675 6843 for Sector Four
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