Nguni Hostel GBV awareness campaign a success

Vosloorus SAPS Crime Prevention, Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Care Centre (STCC) and other stakeholders held a GBV awareness campaign at Nguni Hostel, Vosloorus, on February 16.

According to the operational manager of STCC Rainy Radapa, the awareness campaign aims to teach people about their rights in relation to abuse, various types of abuse and how victims can go about reporting it.

The stakeholders who formed part of the awareness campaign were Novensi Organisation, CoE Health District Clinical, Forensic Medical Services, the office of the executive mayor women directive, GBV Brigades and Kasi FM.

People who live at the hostel attended the event, and the team made an effort to conduct door-to-door visits and hand out pamphlets to those who could not attend.

She said STCC caters to victims of all types of abuse, including GBV and rape.

STCC offices are based at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus and they operate 24 hours a day.
Radapa shared tips on what rape victims, their parents or next of kin should do immediately after they have been violated.

“Whether you are the victim or a parent of the victim, the first thing to do is report to STCC,” she said.

She advised victims to not take a bath before reporting to STCC as this will help them access the victim for injuries, STIs and collect evidence.

She said victims do not have to start reporting the case at the police station as they work with the police. Police will be called to come to their offices to make a statement.

They also have social workers who help victims.

Const Nqobile Mthimunye from Vosloorus SAPS Social Crime Prevention, who has been active in raising awareness of GBV, told Kathorus MAIL their campaigns are making an impact in the community because people now know where to report these cases.

The Nguni Hostel Women directorate Mantombi Buthelezi said usually abuse cases occur at spots where people consume alcohol in the hostel.