The Durbanville and Kraaifontein police held anti-abuse awareness drives this week as part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, held annually from November 25 to December 10.
Joined by representatives from the community police forum and neighbourhood watches, among others, Durbanville officers handed out pamphlets at the Village Square shopping centre on Tuesday.
“The awareness campaigns do make a difference, as per statistics that are reported. Some people are not aware of the crimes of abuse that they are encountering. We need to let them know that abuse can be physical, emotional and economic and so that people become aware,” said Sergeant Tintswalo Sithole, the social crime prevention coordinator at Durbanville police station.
The Kraaifontein police, with support from various organisations and activists, held a fun walk around Belmont Park with participants holding anti-abuse placards.
Warrant Officer Louise Strydom urged victims to come forward.
“My plea is also to the men because although our crime stats show that though men are the perpetrators, at 98%, we can see that sometimes men are also victims.
“There is a stigma in society that boys do not cry, and so I challenge them to come forward and report abuse. Also, when a woman says no you must respect that no.”
