Bellair SAPS shine light on GBV awareness

POLICE officers from the Bellair Police Station, in partnership with the Bellair CPF and Youth Crime Prevention Desk, held a candle-lighting ceremony recently to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

The programme on the day also included a talk from Zanele Xulu, a LifeLine counsellor based at the station, and a prayer from Pastor Glen Pillay from the Revival and Mission Centre.

Lizzie Mkhize, a survivor of domestic violence, who now runs the non-profit organisation (NPO) Cator Manor Masibambisane, which helps with counselling victims of abuse among other counselling and health services, also spoke on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Acting spokesperson for the Bellair SAPS, Sergeant Rachel Simangele Mseleku, said the lighting of the candles was also a symbol of hope to show the victims of GBV that there is light at the end of tunnel.

“It was important to show the community that we are there for them. We want those affected by GBV to reach out and know there is light offered by the SAPS. At the station, we have the services of LifeLine counsellors with a Gender-Based Violence Desk available during the week to help. We also want victims of abuse to speak out and seek help.

“We are also thankful for the support from the CPF and volunteers as well as our guest speaker, Lizzie Mkhize, and to Pastor Pillay who touched us all with his prayer. For us, the 16 Days campaign focuses on raising awareness of the devastating impact that gender-based violence and femicide has on women and children and the social fabric of society,” she said.

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