They rolled up their sleeves on Women’s Day to show solidarity in the fight against gender-based violence in Kraaifontein, a suburb tainted with crimes against women.
Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde along with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and provincial minister for police oversight and community safety in the province Reagen Allen visited Kraaifontein last Tuesday to help paint the victim support room at the police station where victims of crime receive trauma counselling.
Crime statistics tell a disturbing story of gender-based violence in a suburb where rape and other sexual crimes are hugely underreported.
With 165 reported cases of rape between in the previous year, the suburb was identified as one of the top 30 in the country where the most gender-based violence occur. In the first three months of 2022 a total of 53 sexual offences of which 40 were rape were reported.
In doing so, Winde said it was a small gesture, but one they did with deep compassion.
“It may simply be a lick of paint, but what is important is ensuring these rooms make people feel safe, give them back their dignity and offer a sense of calmness and relief. Giving this room a fresh coat of paint will hopefully offer some sanctuary to those left traumatised by violent crime. This is not just about doing something to help women and girls one day of a year, we have to do something 365 days a year. More importantly, we have to stop this scourge once and for all,” he said.
“We cannot stand by and just expect law enforcement authorities and social workers to help those impacted by GBV, we all have to do our bit in any way we can.”
Hill-Lewis added that in helping to paint this room he hoped it will bring comfort and support to those impacted by violent crime.
Own court needed
Rob Bisset, Chair of the Kraaifontein Community Police Forum (CPF), says domestic violence is prolific in Kraaifontein and that women need better access to services in hopes of reducing the scourge.
“It is very clear that Kraaifontein needs another police station as well as a magistrates court. The system must be made more accessible to women who at this stage must travel to Kuils River to get protection orders or to appear in court,” he says.
According to him the majority of crimes against women spring from substance abuse. “Taverns and shebeens are the main crime generator of Wallacedene and Bloekombos. We have thus approached the liquor board requesting that taverns and other liquor outlets be closed on Sundays and to limit operating hours over weekends. This alone will go a long way in safeguarding women.”
WO Louise Strydom of Kraaifontein Police Station says domestic violence is a vicious cycle in parts of Kraaifontein where poverty, substance abuse and unemployment levels are high.
“Scores of children grow up with domestic violence as part of their lives. They end up not finishing their schooling and can’t find jobs. This leads to more unemployment and more substance abuse.”
In addition there is a critical shortage of social workers, safe houses and foster homes, according to Strydom.
“Due to this it takes enormously long for victims to receive the help they need. It is very sad.”
Keeping girls in school
Winde added that the Western Cape Government is taking gender-based violence head-on with several safety initiatives, and furthering gender equality with women empowerment projects.
Provincial minister for education David Maynier noted that keeping girls in school was a social and economic imperative, which is why the department maintains retention as a priority. “We are committed to ensuring that our female learners have every opportunity to receive a quality basic education that will improve their future prospects.”
The department offers various programmes dealing with gender-based violence, and incidents can be reported to the Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Nomafrench Mbombo called on the whole of society to highlight the plight of women.
“The health, protection and well-being of women is everyone’s business.”
In its turn the provincial infrastructure department continues with innovative ways to protect women by reducing distances that women have to walk at night to water and toilet facilities in informal settlements and to provide street lighting wherever possible to improve visibility. “Consideration is given to blind spots and poorly lit areas where criminals could possibly hide and where women could be unsafe, such as street corners and open spaces.”
Western Cape minister of social development Sharna Fernandez also noted that a basket of services including psychosocial support were offered to women in the province.
“We support the safety of women through the provision of shelter services for victims of gender-based violence. We also provide specialised substance use disorder treatment and support tailored to the needs of women.”
