Communities against gender-based violence

WATCH:

Story:

During the past few months in South Africa, an ugly monster has reared its head, reaching almost epidemic proportions.

An alarming increase in femicide has swept across the nation and left families destroyed in its wake.Women have been murdered or abused in different scenarios across all age groups, from children at primary school to adults and even the elderly.

The ministerial six point plan launched at the Eldorado Park Police Station on August 11 aims to make the change and promotes the protection of women’s and children’s rights.

Have you ever experienced seeking assistance at the police station but did not seem to get the service that you had anticipated? This is often seen at various police stations, and at times police turn victims away.

Those victims may have experienced the worst day of their lives or might have just been raped or physically abused, it almost impossible to tell when a victim is a victim of a certain crime unless the victim is spoken to.

Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula has proposed a solution to tackling these problems. Mbalula made his presence felt in Eldorado Park on Friday when he officially launched the ‘Ministerial Six Point Plan‘ which places emphasis on police being armed and ready for any gender-based violence as highlighted in the plan “Ayihlome Against Gender Based Violence.”

Mbalula also engaged with the victims in the victim-friendly room at the police station.

The minister said that all police stations should be equipped with a victim-friendly room like the one at the Eldorado Park Police Station so that victims feel safe when going to a police station.

He reiterated that, for the future smooth running of all police stations across the country, the plan should be displayed in a visible place for both police and victims; as a result of victims who faced untrained police officers when reporting gender-based crimes.

Mbalula also wanted to ensure that all police officers and community members conform to the plan which has been implemented to keep track of the rapport between cop and plaintiff as well as the availability of victim-friendly rooms to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Social Media Platforms for News:

Twitter: @SowetoUrban, Facebook: Soweto Urban News, Instagram: @SowetoUrban

News site 1: Westside-Eldos Urban News, News site 2: Soweto Urban News