IN keeping with their mission to break the silence against women and children abuse, Pinetown SAPS, Metro police, Department of Community Safety and Liaison, Safer Cities, Lifeline Durban, Community Participation and other stakeholders took to the streets to raise awareness.
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The motorcade, which started at Glenugie Park to Caversham Glen and finished in New Germany, was in support of 16 Days of Activism.
The international campaign which began on 25 November for No Violence against Women and Children.
Pinetown Cluster communications officer, Capt Bongumusa Manqele said,
“As police, we encourage the victim to speak out and open cases so that the perpetrators can be brought to book.”
Flyers were also distributed during the campaign.
Domestic violence, a growing problem in society
Hillcrest SAPS communications, Capt Linzi Smith, who is also passionate about ending gender-based violence, echoed Manqele’s words and said police aim to end all forms of violence against women and children and are supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign to raise awareness regarding this epidemic.
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“We at SAPS urge men in the community to play a pivotal to protect the women and children and not be perpetrators of crime.”
Smith said the rights of women and children are fundamental human rights entrenched in and protected by the constitution.
“They are thus inalienable from, integral to and indivisible from the human rights framework. Gender-based violence in all its different guises is incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, and must be eliminated,” she said.
Through her experience, Smith said abusers are usually bread winners and victims are usually unwilling to speak out because that may affect their economic survival.
“In most instances, there is usually drug use and alcohol abuse which also associates with violent behaviour.”
She added that everyone need to stand up to this and report such behaviour.
People can report abuse against women and children at their nearest stations or call Crime Stop on 0860 10111.
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