#It’sNotOK. Speak Up Against Violence! 

Thabazimbi – According to the latest SAPS crime statistics, a total of 11 cases of sexual offences including rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences, and contact sexual offences were reported to the Thabazimbi Police between July and September 2022. 

Compared to last year’s figures, the latest statistics indicate a staggering increase in 5 cases. The same statistics also reveal that five cases of sexual assault were brought to the attention of police in Northam between July and September 2022. 

But these statistics are just the tip of the increasing iceberg that is gender-based violence (GBV). 
Sadly, GBV is a plague that continues to affect many innocent men, women, and children whom each day suffer in silence as victims of sexual offences and physical, financial, and psychological abuse.

Unfortunately, victims of GBV often remain silent for a variety of reasons. For example, many victims believe that they would only be worsening their abusive situations if they were to speak out and ask for help. In other cases, victims are often financially dependent on their abusers, and with no other options for financial support, they stay in their emotionally and physically draining environments.

In turn, a cycle of violence is also created, as children who grow up in abusive and violent households grow up to carry GBV into their adult lives. 

Abusers are enabled by the fact that victims seldom speak out, which means that the monstrous act of GBV keeps on growing because it is continuously fed. 

To break the barrier of silence, and consequently take away the power that abusers hold over their victims, LoveLife in Thabazimbi hosted a GBV awareness campaign on Saturday 19 November 2022. 
The Thabazimbi SAPS oversaw the campaign where an approximate amount of 150 supporters against GBV marched from the LoveLife centre in Regorogile to Thaba Mall.  

At the mall, various speakers addressed community members and pleaded for society to act collectively to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence and child abuse. 

“We must all raise our voices against GBV and give a loud shout because enough is enough!” said youth program implementer at LoveLife, Bontle Mathabatha, “We must stop violence against men, women, children, and transgender communities. It’s important to mention that men can also be victims of GBV—we must not turn a blind eye to this.”

Captain Khensani from the Thabazimbi SAPS family protection, child protection, and sexual offences (FCS) unit, also addressed the community and echoed similar sentiments, “Let’s break the silence! Report GBV cases so that action can be taken against the perpetrators.

Victims must not withdraw cases. We all need to unite as a community and stand up against GBV. Witnessing GBV and doing nothing about it makes you just as guilty as the perpetrator.” 

Victims of gender-based violence and child abuse are advised to contact the GBV command centre at 080 042 8428, SAPS Thabazimbi at 014 777 3500, or LoveLife at 081 714 3229.

#FosteringASenseOfCommunity