Residents of Diepsloot recently embarked on a march aimed at teaching community members how to report rape, gender violence, and child abuse.
The march started at Diepsloot Ext 1 taxi rank and continued to where a workshop was held. The residents visited all the crime hotspots in the area while singing and chanting struggle songs.
Brown Lekekela of Green Door Diepsloot, a temporary shelter for women and children who are the victims of violence, emphasised the importance of educating residents about domestic abuse.
“We see a continuity of rape and violence here in Diepsloot, hence we decided to embark on this march.”
Brown further explained why victims might be reluctant to come forward. “Victims are of the belief that nothing will happen when they report such cases. They are not encouraged because they think the perpetrators will still get away with it and it’s not like that.
“Yes, it might take time before the criminals are caught, but in the end, justice will take place.”
A spokesperson for Diepsloot Police Station Captain Tinyiko Mathebula said, “The march was a success and I’m grateful to all the stakeholders and all the residents who were in support.
“We’d like to encourage victims to contact their local police stations when they find themselves being abused.”
Mathebula explained the process taken at police stations to assist rape victims. “When someone comes to report rape, the police station will call the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations.
“Then they will take the victim to a medical doctor for examination, and from there,
tests will be conducted and based on those results, we can link to the suspects.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/214275/ivory-park-police-on-the-lookout-for-murder-and-rape-suspect/
