The work of LifeLine
Victims of domestic, gender-based violence and/or abuse are encouraged to make use of the services provided by the Norwood SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, and LifeLine.
Social auxiliary worker and supervisor at LifeLine Norwood, Doreen Moagi, said they assisted victims of domestic violence.
Colleague Tshiamelo Monyuku added ‘clients’ were sent to them from the community service centre, be they victims of domestic violence, gender-based violence (GBV), rape, intimidation, or bullying.
“We see clients, contain them and if they are hysterical for instance, we allow them to express their feelings in a safe space. We calm them down and ask what the problem is and how we can intervene. After assessing and determining the type of case, relevant stakeholders are contacted,” said Monyuku.
Moagi said if the victims required counselling, LifeLine would assist them or they would be referred to the Department of Social Development and others. She added LifeLine also conducted awareness campaigns at local schools.
Challenges faced
Moagi said sometimes they received clients who opened a ‘case’ with them one day but came back the next day wanting to cancel it.
Referring to those instances, Norwood SAPS victim empowerment centre’s Sergeant Makoma Tshwale urged women to stop protecting partners who were perpetrators of crime.
“When things get out of hand, police get blamed. As the police, we must advise you to open a case and obtain a protection order. However, we encounter victims saying they don’t want their partners arrested. We cannot go against your choices, however, the same partner ends up escalating the abuse. The myth that police officers laugh at male abuse victims is not a fact anymore,” said Tshwale.
Monyuku said they have challenges with the youth of the community who were not willing to participate in the voluntary youth desk activities. “We have been trying to reach out to them but they are not showing up. We plead with them to come forward because their voice matters.
“We have noticed that community members ignore pamphlets we display in malls, and say they know everything about GBV, domestic abuse, etc. However, in a lot of trends we see, most of the victims don’t know what to do, or what procedures and forms they need to fill out when injured such as a J88. This is the kind of information we would be offering.”
Moagi urged parents and teachers to invite social workers to their meetings so that information about GBV could be shared. This would help because some of the cases they dealt with were due to family issues.
Positive outcomes experienced
Monyuku highlighted that during Covid-19 there was a high usage of lean ( Codeine cough syrup and soda) by learners which was a huge problem in the community. “With stakeholders, we partnered and hosted a 12-month campaign which was very fruitful. We found that some learners did not even know the contents of what they were consuming and the long-term effects it had on their bodies. So, we saw a decrease in its use after we gave out all the information. Through this intervention, the shops which sell codeine products stopped.”
Appeals and thanks
Monyuku appealed to community members to donate clothes, sanitary pads, toys, diapers, and sealed milk for victims.
Moagi said they were looking to start a support group for drug/substance abuse awareness and GBV, so if anyone in the community was interested in joining and volunteering, they were welcome.
She thanked the Norwood Community Police Forum, Norwood SPAR and the CPF for always supporting events.
Message to women out there
Monyuku said, “Imbokodo does not mean be strong and allow yourself to go through abuse and hardships in relationships and marriages for the sake of your children. But you can be an imbokodo, a strong woman by removing yourself and your children from toxic relationships. You would still be an imbokodo for changing your lifestyle if it affects your household, if addicted to drugs, or alcohol, it is okay to seek help and change the situation.
Moagi concluded children must be protected from toxic situations they may witness in their homes because they affected them at school and in other spaces of their lives.
Details: Norwood LifeLine 011 728 1331.
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