Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has partnered with Matla a Bana an NGO tackling gender-based violence (GBV) – to create child-friendly reporting facilities at police stations, courts, and hospitals.
Women and children are the worst affected by violent crime in South Africa, the recent crime statistics for the first quarter of 2022 showed.
The statistics paint a grim picture of a sharp increase in the reported number of people, mostly women, and children, who were murdered and raped in the country.
It is safe to say that women and children in South Africa are under attack,” said Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of BLSA.
The number of rapes and murders against these vulnerable groups is alarming and much more needs to be done.
“This war cannot be won by victims alone NGOs, the SA Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority, and communities as a whole need to work together to fight this scourge against women and children.
Mavuso said GBV survivors need to be protected and suspects must feel the full might of the law.
The partnership has resulted in the purchase of a shipping container, with state-of-the-art audio and visual recording equipment, that will assist forensic social workers to collect evidence from victims and lead to the arrest and prosecution of GVB and sexual crime perpetrators.
The facility, based at the Protea Glen Police Station in Soweto, will be used by the Moroka SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.
This unit focuses on high-priority areas concerning GBV and serves several police stations including Moroka, Jabulani, Naledi, Protea Glen, Lenasia South, Ennerdale, Dobsonville, and Doornkop.
Matla a Bana will also ensure that frontline staff members at the police station receive training on how they should treat and assist victims of GBV and sexual crimes.
All children who are victims of sexual abuse, and who are assisted will receive comfort packs including a small toy and toiletries.
Although Matla a Bana predominantly assists children, victims of all ages will have access to the facility.
I thank and applaud the management and partners of BLSA for having the vision to undertake such a project,” said Monique Strydom, CEO Matla a Bana.
“We need children to have safe environments where they can disclose, and caretakers, teachers, and parents to listen carefully when these children disclose.
“More support services in the form of therapy for victims of abuse are needed.
“Everyone needs to come together on this one otherwise, we are going to sit with generations of broken people.”
