Sebenza’s women in blue lead the charge against abuse
Community members and men are also encouraged to speak out if they are being abused
Sebenza SAPS’ women in blue led the charge when they conducted an operation in the days leading up to Woman’s Day.
The operation was conducted on October 7 in partnership with SOS Security, Mamba Security as well as Kempton Park, Lethabong as well as the Johannesburg Midrand Thembisa taxi associations.
Sebenza Police Station’s communication officer Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso said roadblocks, patrols and stop-and-searches were conducted in the precinct.
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She said information and pamphlets explaining domestic abuse and gender-based violence were also distributed to create greater awareness.
“Community members and men are also encouraged to speak out if they are being abused,” said Tsotsotso.
The operation was led by Tsotsotso under the supervision of station commander Colonel Mfanafuthi Mazibuko.
“As it is Women’s Month, national office instructed that all operations in August be led by female officers.”
Mazibuko said he expected to see female officers leading from the front and being supported by male officers.
“I hope that today’s operation will be successful,” he said.
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Tsotsotso said security companies and taxi associations were included because often they are the first to hear about abu
se in communities or for victims to report it to.
According to the SAPS domestic violence and abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person.
Pamphlets shared with the community described the following as domestic violence: sexual, physical, damage of possessions, stalking, financial, emotional, or any controlling behaviour.
Physical abuse occurs when one person uses physical pain or the threat of physical force to intimidate others, it includes:
• Slapping, pushing and pulling hair.
• Abandoning the victim in dangerous places.
• Locking the victim out of the house.
• Refusing to help the victim if they are sick, injured or pregnant.
Sexual abuse occurs when the perpetrator initiates any unwanted sexual contact, it includes:
• Pressuring the victim to perform sexual acts they don’t want to perform.
• Inappropriately touching the victim.
• Forcing the victim to have sexual intercourse with others.
• Hurting the victim against their will during sex.
Rape is a form of sexual assault that involves sexual intercourse or forms of sexual penetration without the victim’s consent, it can be oral, anal or vaginal.
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A victim has not consented to a sexual act if they are threatened, forced or intimidated to commit it.
If the victim is asleep, unconscious or under the influence of alcohol or drugs and a sexual act is committed it is also classified as rape.
A child under the age of 12 years old and a person with a mental disability cannot give consent to sexual acts.
Emotional abuse consists of intentional behaviour designed to cause pain to another person on purpose, it can include:
• Name calling and intentionally embarrassing the victim in public.
• Constantly yelling and belittling the victim.
• Preventing the victim from spending time with friends and family members.
• Threats of suicide to keep the victim with the abuser.
• Threatening to harm loved ones or pets.
• Preventing the victim from going to work or school.
• Starting rumours about the victim.
Financial abuse is defined as when an abuser restricts a victim’s access to money, it includes:
• Preventing the victim from having a job.
• The abuser spends the victim’s money.
• The abuser intentionally destroys the victim’s possessions.
• Not allowing the victim access to information on the joint financial situation.
What to do if you are being abused?
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If you are a victim of abuse apply for a protection order at your nearest police station or magistrate’s court.
Criminal charges can also be laid against the perpetrator.
If the abuser disobeys the protection order victims are encouraged to contact SAPS to provide a statement as soon as possible.
If victims are in immediate danger the abuser will be arrested or given notice to appear before the court.
Report any crime and abuse to 10111 or 08600 10111.
Alternatively, Sebenza Police Station’s victim support centre can be contacted at 011 400 6000.
