Members of Rosebank Police Station and various security companies hosted an awareness campaign for 16 Days of Activism against women and child abuse.
On 6 December, a group from the Rosebank Police along with members of Fidelity ADT, 24/7 Security, Beagle Watch and Servest held a checkpoint at the intersection of Jellicoe Avenue and Jan Smuts Avenue.
At the checkpoint, officers handed out pamphlets about gender-based violence to people in their cars and discussed the importance of reporting violence against women and children. Sergeant Bongi Mdletshe, the spokesperson for the Rosebank Police Station, said the checkpoint was a success and they managed to hand out 1 200 pamphlets.
“We had a really warm reception from people, whenever we have a roadblock people get nervous but when we go to them with a pamphlet and explain to them the contents of the pamphlet and why it’s being done, it has a huge impact.”
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is worldwide and aims to challenge violence against women and children and raise awareness. However, Mdletshe added that their work within the community is not limited to the 16 days of the campaign.
“In January there will be the opening of schools and a Police Day to go and visit schools to talk to kids about their concerns and give them advice. These projects mean a lot to us as the Saps because it gives us a relationship with the community.”
Some of the information on the pamphlets includes important numbers people can call, a step-by-step layout of what will take place when a woman or child reports a crime as well as the safety tips for children and parents to abide by.
“While we are a law enforcement agency we are also people who want to befriend the community and make sure that our society is free from crime.”
Contact details: Gender-based violence command centre 0800 428 428.
Share your thoughts on this awareness campaign with us by emailing laurap@caxton.co.za
