Gender-based violence is rife
Government, police and other organisations recently discussed violence against women and children which is rife in Randfontein.
Various government departments, organisations and even the police came together to discuss gender-based violence in Elandsvlei on Wednesday, 29 August.
Among them were Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Women Against Women and Child Abuse (Wawa), the Randfontein Police and the Gauteng Department of Social Development, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Pillar of Strength Ministries, Rand West City Public Safety, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Itsoseng and the Gauteng Deparment of Health (Leratong Crisis Centre).
The aim of the programme was to educate people, especially in informal settlements, about the services available against women and children abuse.
Tshidi Mokoka, Communications Officer and Coordinator of GCIS said statistics that were provided by the police revealed that gender-based violence is rife.
“The stats have shown that there are many women who are abused by their partners and many children who are being abused in informal settlements. We chose to come to here to create awareness in the community about the help they can get,” Tshidi said.
She said the programme also included the elderly, who are also facing abuse at the hands of their children, and will educate them.
“They will also learn about the processes that are involved after opening cases, so that if they want to follow up, they can go through the right channels. We want the public to make use of the agencies and organisations that are here today,” Thsidi said.
Tshidi said the dialogue also engaged the audience on the issues that are prevalent in their area.
“If they think that not enough is being done, they have a chance to say how they would like to be assisted. All the officers from various organisations are here to help them with their issues,” Thsidi added.
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