16 Days of Activism: Report violence, urges SAPS
According to Durban Central SAPS, domestic violence is fueled by liquor.
SPOKESPERSON for Durban Central SAPS, Captain Muzi Maphumulo said the most prevalent gender-related crimes in central Durban are domestic violence cases, that are often fueled by jealousy.
“Most cases involve liquor. Here, in Durban, there are a lot of youth staying in flats who come to the city for tertiary education. Many of them drink liquor and fights break out. We see love triangles, which lead to jealousy and assault,” he said.
“We see about 10 cases of domestic violence per month,” said Maphumulo.
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While GBV comes in many forms, SAPS deals with criminal offences, such as physical abuse. Women who are verbally abused can also contact SAPS for assistance.
“People should be informed that abuse can be psychological and financial. SAPS gets involved when the abuse is physical. We work according to what is determined as a crime, according to our justice system. If vulgar language is used, those cases are reported as well,” said Maphumulo.
When to reach out for help
Maphumulo urged the community to take note of red flags and to report violence immediately.
“I want to appeal to our community to report abuse before it becomes physical. It often starts with verbal abuse. If someone is threatening to assault you, report the matter immediately and vacate the premises. If someone is strangling or slapping you and then later apologises, that is domestic assault. Report this to the police. The government will take this seriously. Some minor assaults in abusive relationships end in murder,” he said.
“If you have injuries, a medical report will be needed. It is best to visit the police station where you will be referred to a medical practitioner,” said Maphumulo.
He urged children to report abuse to a trusted adult or teacher who can assist them with reporting the incident to SAPS.
To report abuse, call 10 111.
Further assistance
Maphumulo said once a suspect has been arrested, SAPS will refer the victim to a place of safety.
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“If you need temporary shelter, we will refer you. There are shelters working closely with us and there are social workers who can assist victims,” he said.
In a bid to learn more about the issues that impact victims of GBV, Durban Central SAPS will host an awareness event on Thursday, November 25. The event, held in the form of a dialogue, will offer victims a platform to talk about their experiences.
“We will have professional advisers there to assist them. We are trying our best to reach out,” said Maphumulo.
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