HEIDELBURG – Social Crime Prevention Coordinator Constable Doris Nkosi said their members together with different stakeholders including Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Alpha Trauma, Sister to Sister, Lesedi Local Municipality and road safety decided to visit different areas in their precinct which report more GBV cases.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Nkosi said “we went out to engage with the community and educate them about crimes committed against woman and children who later become victims of GBV”.
Nkosi said during the campaign, more than 300 pamphlets were distributed and one on one talks with the victims who are afraid to come forward and report incidents of abuse were completed.
The coordinator, also spokesperson of Heidelberg copshop added that the victims were further given ways to prevent the abuse and not to be the victims.
“We taught them on breaking the cycle of violence, how to act against abuse, when and how to break the silence,” she said.
“We also gave emergency telephone numbers victims can contact when in need of help, in a form of pamphlets with all the contact details and organizations that may be able to assist them,” she said.
Nkosi said she is happy with the reception they received during the drive.
“I’m extremely happy with the outcome of the awareness. The public reaction was positive and I must say people received us with warm hands. We will be continuing with the drive to assist and supports victims of GBV in our precinct,” she said.
Meanwhile, according to the government website, data from the South African Police Service (SAPS) shows that sexual offences and rape increased by 13% between 2017 and 2018, 2021 and 2022.
Between the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, there was a 52% increase in the murder of women and a 46% increase in the number of children murdered.
