Seven women within the Amajuba District alone have lost their lives as a result of gender-based violence during the past year.
This shocking statistic was revealed at the Crisis Centre’s annual general meeting, held this past Tuesday, September 19.
Chairman, Morris Gajoo, who opened the meeting, commented that ‘another year has gone by fast and despite the attainment of many achievements and successes, there still largely remain so many challenges.’
Gajoo said violence against women and children must come to an end everyone should do more to prevent incidents of gender violence by providing more services to survivors and ensuring that perpetrators are punished.
“GBV reflects inequities between men and women and compromises the health, dignity, integrity, security, and autonomy of its victims. It encompasses a wide range of human rights violations, including sexual abuse of children, rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, trafficking of women and children, and several harmful ‘traditional’ practices.”
He added that the Crisis Centre not only raised awareness about the negative impact GBV had on women and children, but more importantly, t took a stance against this kind of abuse.
“We believe that through the collective efforts of government, civil society organisations, and the business sector working together, we can broaden the impact of the campaign to protect women and children against this abuse.”
He continued: “We have been reeling from the news of some of the most brutal and horrific acts of violence and rape that were recently committed against women and children, as reported in the news lately.”
- South Africans were left outraged after hearing of a Grade 8 learner who was allegedly drugged and gang raped while her classmates stood around filming it on their cellphones.
- A woman from Plaatfontein was bludgeoned to death by her common-law husband.
- A serial rapist was finally arrested in KwaMashu (Durban) in connection with the rape of 12 women.
- A seven-year-old girl was raped in the school bathrooms by three boys aged nine and 15.
- A Grade 11 girl was raped by a fellow pupil in the school bathrooms while waiting for a school play to commence in Johannesburg.
- A 14-year-old girl was gang raped by her fellow classmates while bunking school in the Eastern Cape. The boys allegedly offered to walk her home when they raped her. Police noticed a group of boys acting suspiciously in a van. When they went to investigate, they found the girl lying unconscious. Two boys, aged 15 and 18, were arrested and charged with her rape.
- An 11-year-old girl was repeatedly raped by an 18-year-old school teacher in Kathlehong.
“I am citing these incidents to you to demonstrate the severity of these acts of violence against our women and children and the devastating impact they have on the victims and their families. It also shows how our schools have been gripped by GBV.
“In our own suburbs and townships of Newcastle, incidences of child abuse, rape, and GBV are a huge concern, and we appeal to law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and put the perpetrators behind bars. The recent cases that have emerged are quite troubling and the perpetrators are within the family units.”
“We emphasise the obligation on all of us should report all cases of abuse to assist police and social workers in their investigations. Every woman and child should live in a home where they are free from the threat of violence. Every girl should be able to attend school without the risk of being abused, and every woman and girl should be free to walk the streets without fear of harassment or attacks.”
He concluded by thanking the staff at the Crisis Centre for their tireless efforts in trying to keep the centre operational despite the multitude of challenges they faced.
“To Mary Dobbie, the stalwart and matriarch of the centre, the Crisis Centre is a glorious showcase of all your indefatigable dedication, and all praise to you. To my management committee, who have been a source of great inspiration and who were always eager to advise and provide assistance where and when required, a gigantic thank you!” he concluded.
Read the full report in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser on sale every Thursday.
The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).
