SAPS Brighton Beach extended a warm invitation to elderly residents from Arcadia Old Age Home on The Bluff, urging them to participate in an informative Aged @ Risk Gender-Based Violence (GBV) presentation, on January 17.
The initiative was designed as an empowerment programme aimed at fostering awareness about the vulnerability of elderly people to GBV and domestic violence, whether perpetrated by familiar or unfamiliar individuals.
Also read: Gender-based violence victims empowered to speak out
Communications officer Captain Louise Le Roux delivered a compelling speech addressing the daily challenges faced by the elderly. The focus was on inspiring the aged residents not to succumb to despair but to maintain hope, regardless of their past experiences.
Le Roux meticulously curated an Aged @ Risk education pack for the residents, equipped with valuable resources to heighten their awareness. Each pack featured:
- Aged @ Risk information guide – outlining various forms of abuse and offering safety tips for public spaces.
- Victim empowerment flyer – educating the rights of victims, a domestic violence information guide detailing different manifestations of domestic violence and procedures for obtaining a protection order.
- GBV information brochure – simplifying the diverse cases of gender-based violence.
- Telephone bookmark – displaying emergency numbers.
- Hope-empowering bookmark
Distribution of these packs reached 70 recipients, and many elderly residents also had the opportunity to receive lucky draw prizes. Le Roux emphasised that such initiatives enable SAPS to educate the elderly about their personal safety and rights.
She stressed the importance of prioritising personal safety and encouraged the aged residents to report instances of abuse, urging them to identify their abusers.
The overarching goal is to empower the elderly to take charge of their well-being and foster a safer environment for them.
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