Women and men in blue tackle GBV

A joint operation between Edenvale and Sebenza police stations saw officers from the two stations partner up for the launch of their 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

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Held on December 1, the three-phase operation saw officers interact with community members in the police stations’ policing precincts to create awareness and to educate the community about gender-based violence and provide festive season crime tips.

Officers from Ivory Park, Norkem Park, Thembisa, Thembisa South SAPS assisted with the operation while the Ekurhuleni district commander was also present.

The officers were assisted by immigration services, volunteers from the Victim Empowerment Centre from the office of the MEC of Community Safety and private security personnel.

Officers distributed informative pamphlets and engaged with the community at Karaglen Shopping Centre and China Gate Kempton Park before conducting a roadblock along Modderfontein Road.

Head of Edenvale SAPS’ Social Crime Prevention Unit Const Mathapelo Mothobi said once the operation was completed officers continued to create awareness by patrolling around the policing precincts and creating visibility.

Speaking on the number of cases related to GBV, Mothobi said: “Compared to other police stations Edenvale does not deal with as many GBV cases.”

“The cases that are reported to us include physical violence and intimidation.”

Similarly, communications officer of Sebenza Police station Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso said Sebenza Police Station does not receive a huge number of GBV-related cases when compared to other precincts.

However, Tsotsotso said the majority of the cases related to GBV that are reported to Sebenza SAPS include incidents of assault.

Tsotsotso said they are concerned with GBV and domestic violence among the homeless community.

She said although the station tries to assist the homeless victims of these crimes it is challenging as homeless victims open a case and may move to a different location making it difficult for investigating officers to locate them.

Explaining why the two stations partnered up for the campaign, Tsotsotso said the two stations have similar crime trends in their precincts.

Tsotsotso and Mothobi said they plan on conducting similar operations in the future.

Tsotsotso encouraged community members to get to know the warning signs of abusive behaviour.

Types of abuse range from sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse and emotional abuse.

Sexual abuse occurs when the perpetrator initiates any unwanted sexual contact.
It includes:
• Pressuring the victim to perform sexual acts they don’t want to perform.
• Inappropriately touching the victim.
• Forcing the victim to have sexual intercourse with others.
• Hurting the victim against their will during sex.

Physical abuse occurs when one person uses physical pain or the threat of physical force to intimidate others.
It includes:
• Slapping, pushing and pulling hair.
• Abandoning the victim in dangerous places.
• Locking the victim out of the house.
• Refusing to help the victim if they are sick, injured or pregnant.

Emotional abuse consists of intentional behaviour designed to cause pain to another person on purpose.
It can include:
• Name-calling and intentionally embarrassing the victim in public.
• Constantly yelling and belittling the victim.
• Preventing the victim from spending time with friends and family members.
• Threats of suicide to keep the victim with the abuser.
• Threatening to harm loved ones or pets.
• Preventing the victim from going to work or school.
• Starting rumours about the victim.

Financial abuse is defined as when an abuser restricts a victim’s access to money.
It includes:
• Preventing the victim from having a job.
• The abuser spends the victim’s money.
• The abuser intentionally destroys the victim’s possessions.
• Not allowing the victim access to information on the joint financial situation.

Besides sharing information on gender-based violence Tsotsotso advised community members to vigilant this holiday season.

During the December 1 operation SAPS officers also shared informative pamphlets to prevent trio-crimes which include hijackings, residential and business robberies.

To prevent hijackings motorists are advised to:
• Avoid travelling alone at night and dont stop in secluded areas.
• Be vigilant and drive to your nearest police station if you suspect you’re being followed.
• Never give hitchhikers a lift.
• Avoid distractions like cellphones and the radio.
• Be vigilant of people loitering at intersections.

To prevent residential robberies residents are advised to:
• Be vigilant of suspicious activity.
• Improve their home security such as security gates and burglar bars.
• Never open the gate for strangers.
• Verify the details of people before employing them or granting them access to your property.

To prevent business robberies business owners are advised to:
• Not to keep large sums of money at the business.
• Be on the lookout for suspicious customers.
• Not to keep the store open late.
• Not to open for anyone once the store has closed.

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