The Primrose SAPS Crime Prevention Youth Desk has been touring the community and spreading awareness about the issues of rape and gender-based violence this Women’s Month.
The gender-based violence dialogue which previously made stops in the Makause and Delport informal settlements made a turn at Marathon informal settlement last Saturday.
Through this campaign, the youth desk sought to provide affected victims with key factors to help them reclaim their lives and get them in touch with organisations that could assist them further.
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“Through these dialogues, we strive to show compassion to women and families affected by gender-based violence,” said Dibuseng Motlokoa, secretary of the Primrose SAPS Crime Prevention Youth Desk.
Attendees included members of the youth desk, Sgt Styles Maome (the communications officer for the Primrose police), Philip Nkutha (a Marathon informal settlement community leader), Lunga Mhlahlo (a community development worker) and Col Albertina Vesi (the station commander of the Primrose police).
“We have rape victims among us, domestic violence victims and perpetrators too.
“We need to work together to find the root cause of abuse and rape in our communities.
“If you disagree with someone or a relationship fails, walk away,” Lunga advised.
“What we’re seeing lately is that for many partners walking away is not an option, they would rather incite violence on those they claim to love.”
A recent rise in femicide has shown that women in our country are in constant danger and Lunga believes there’s an underlying psychological factor which contributes to rape and femicide.
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“A man claims to love you but he has turned you into his punching bag; that is not love, it is abuse.
“Some men have witnessed domestic abuse throughout their childhood and believe it to be a normal thing instead of a crime, in fact, they believe it proves how dominant they are.
“Ignorance, seeking validation, self-blame and self-esteem issues keep women in relationships longer than they have to. It’s a cycle we all have to work against,” she said.
Deputy chairperson of the youth desk Lote Zimba said in wrapping up Women’s Month they wanted to ensure they used their influence to provide a platform for women to discuss the issues they are currently facing in their communities, breaking the silence on rape and figuring out why perpetrators were being protected and victims exposed.
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