NEWCASTLE ADVERTISER: Spotlight on safety against gender-based violence

With the high numbers of sexual offences and gender-based violence (GBV) crimes in the country, Newcastle SAPS has issued prevention awareness guidelines for Newcastle residents.

“Sexual offences involve sex without consent, unwanted sexual touching, or being forced to engage in humiliating sexual activity,” explained Lizzy Arumugam of Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications.

Here is what you need to know:

Vulnerability increases: 

• In dark and deserted places at night, if you look vulnerable (e.g. walking alone in  desolate areas), if you appear uncertain, for example if you do not know where you are going, if you do not lock your car doors and close your windows, if you talk to strangers.
• If you stop for stranded vehicles or people, or if your vehicle is faulty and you have to stop for help.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Be alert at traffic lights and stop streets.
• Walk close to the curb and face the on-coming traffic.
• Try and keep to well-lit areas or where there are people.
• Do not hitch-hike and do not pick up hitch-hikers.
• Keep a whistle with you and blow it if you need help.

At home:

• Do not allow a stranger into your home, even if they are delivering something or providing a service.
• Ask for an identity document or phone his/her office to check his/her identity.
• Invest in the best locks and security you can afford.
• Never tell anyone you are alone at home and make sure the children also know not to do so.
• Know your neighbours and together plan ahead for how you will respond in a crisis.
• Know your local police station and discuss safety matters with the police.
• Become involved with local crime prevention efforts with the community police forum or  police.

On a date:

• Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable – be firm and clear and say NO!
• Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met – say NO!
• Ask friends for help if someone ignores you when you say NO!
• Remember: most rape victims know the rapist.
• You have the right to say NO!

In a case of rape:

• Try not to panic; common sense is your best defense.
• You can not always defend yourself and your resistance may cause serious injury.
• Submission is not consent.
• Try and remember what the attacker looks like; race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery.
• Scream, yell, blow your whistle or run away if you possibly can.
• Do not bath or change your clothes after an attack, keep all the evidence so that it can be used by the police for further investigation.
• Report the crime to the Police Service straight away: go to the police station or phone  10111.

You have the right to say NO!

• No-one has the right to force you into sexual activity, no matter what your relationship with this person is.
• This means, no-one can force you to have sex, or touch you in a sexual way without your consent, or force you to perform sexual activity you find unpleasant or humiliating.

Remember – a sexual assault is NOT your fault.

SAPS EMERGENCY LINE : 10111  OR  SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111

Contact us

WhatsApp: 082 874 5550 Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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