A collaborative effort among various organisations and local authorities culminated in a door-to-door GBV and child negligence awareness campaign in the Ramaphosa informal settlement on August 7.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Reiger Park SAPS and supported by the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator Ekurhuleni District, EMPD, Boksburg Child Welfare Department of Health, Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, Thusang NPO, Criminal Investigation Bureau, Department of Correctional Services, DSD and the Gauteng Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The campaign began with a walk, where all stakeholders held posters displaying messages against GBV. After the walk, members visited the Ramaphosa informal settlement, going door-to-door to raise awareness.
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According to Constable Johannes Msimanga, spokesperson for the Reiger Park police station, the awareness campaign reached 350 people and they distributed 250 informative pamphlets.
“Most people can’t talk about their problems when they’re sober, and they choose to bottle things up, though after a few drinks, they find the courage to speak up, and sometimes, they end up doing something drastic, like killing their spouses,” said Msimanga.
He encouraged all stakeholders who want to be part of the team running these campaigns to come forward, stating, “Working together, we can win this fight.”
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