CAPE TOWN – Members of the Grassy Park Community Police Forum (GPCPF) took to the streets and handed out flyers to residents about the scourge of gender based violence (GBV) for 16 days of activism.
The awareness campaign took place on Klip Road on Saturday 29 November.
GPCPF members were joined by Grassy Park police, local GBV Ambassadors, and the Department of Social Development.
16 days is a worldwide campaign that raises awareness about violence against women and children and takes place from Tuesday 25 November to Wednesday 10 December every year.
Community need highlighted
The organisers walked through the surrounding streets distributing flyers to inform victims who may be suffering in silence, that there is help available for them. Chairperson of the Grassy Park CPF, Nicole Jacobus, said there was a critical need for this type of community outreach, noting that many people know someone who may need help but don’t know where to turn to for support.
Jacobus is also a member Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (DSD) GBV Ambassador programme.
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“Often, people don’t know who to reach out to or where to start. Abuse is real. Do not turn a blind eye. We will continue to raise awareness and support our communities,” Jacobus explained. During the walk, Jacobus said she encountered a young man she knows personally but discovered he had become involved in a life of crime and drug abuse.
She expressed hope that he would one day use the advice given to make positive changes in his life.
“Sometimes, all a person needs is a bit of encouragement,” Jacobus said.
The awareness campaign highlighted six key types of abuse: emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, mental and substance-related.
Breaking the silence
The awareness drive emphasised that creating better communities requires everyone to be part of the change. Organisers stressed the importance of not turning a blind eye to GBV in any form.
“If we want better communities, we need to be the change. We must stop turning a blind eye to GBV in all its forms. Although the 16 Days of Activism focuses on women and children, we must remember that men can also be victims of abuse,” Jacobus said.
“It is time to speak openly about it and encourage everyone to reach out for help without fear,” she added.
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