Sisonke Gender Justice held a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) training and engagement with residents of Dirpkloof on February 24.
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The training which mainly focused on the issue of intimate partner violence saw locals gather at Lebowa Primary School with an effort to learn and raise their concerns on issues of GBV in relationships as well as cry for help from the organisation and obtain solutions that prevent these violent acts.
Through the training, attendees were given an opportunity to give their own understanding of what GBV is as well as share past experiences and occurrences were they were directly or indirectly affected by GBV.
One of Sisonke Gender Justice training facilitators, Simphiwe Ntsizwana encouraged attendees to speak out on issues of intimate partner violence so that they can receive help from both the authorities and local non-profit organisations that focus on GBV.
Intimate partner violence refers to abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship between dating partners.
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This abuse may occur sexually, emotionally, psychically and financially with each having the victim to bear the devastating brunt such as severe depression, stress, anxiety, effects on mental health as well loss of confidence.
“Communities show what intimate partner violence is before we can even provide them with solutions on how to deal with it.
We have seen previously that women are the ones who usually report cases of GBV more than men.
“We encourage both genders to come out and report because both are affected, this is why we call it GBV, it affects both male and females,” Ntsiswana said.
According to the recent report by minister of police, Bheki Cele the country witnessed 4 992 suspects being arrested for GBVF related crimes from October to December 2022.
An alarming total of 5 935 rape incidents took place at the residence of the perpetrator or victim, including residence known by victims or perpetrator; these are family, friends and neighbours.
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“The call for communities to be allies against crime cannot be understated when it comes to the prevention and combating of GBV and Femicide. Someone somewhere, somehow knows something!
“It remains a betrayal of humanity, to look away and ignore abuse and violence of anyone, let alone women children and other vulnerable groups in society,” Minster Bheki Cele said when delivering his report.
Attendees expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sisonke Gender Justice for choosing to focus on their area as they went home to implement what they were taught in training.
For more information, residents can report cases of GBV by calling the South African GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 or SAPS Emergency Services on 10111, toll free.
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