Department calls for more people to be vocal against abuse of women and children.

The Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is calling on members of the community to continue the conversation and stand up against any form of abuse and say enough is enough.  
 
The recent spate of attacks against women and children needs to raise an alarm to say that we need to do more, we need to report these cases and provide support for those facing abuse.
 
It is a concern that violence and abuse against vulnerable members of society continues to occur.  One too many incidents of abuse and abuse related deaths are being reported and we need to end this rife cycle on violence and abuse in our communities.  We cannot do it alone but we need everyone to take a stand.  
 
As a Department, we will continue to raise awareness on the negative impact violence and abuse has on vulnerable groups in society through our Domestic Violence Awareness programmes and other campaigns in communities to raise awareness on the scourge.  
 
We maintain our strong stance against any form of violence and abuse in our communities and appeal to communities to continue the conversation and to take daily individual and collective effort to make an impact.  
 

Most cases of violence and abuse happen behind closed doors while some are known in communities and we can no longer turn a blind eye and say: we don’t want to get involved.  We need to get involved as communities and we need to expose perpetrators and report abuse. 
 
It cannot be normal to read or see reports of women and children being abused or killed and think it is normal – because it is not normal.  Children need to be prioritised and protected.  It needs to be said that staying in an abusive relationship or environment for the sake of children or for security cannot be an excuse because we will be failing to protect ourselves and children. 
 
Let us report cases to the police, reach out to social workers and organisations helping victims of abuse.  In cases where a case has been reported to the police and no assistance has been availed, it should be reported to the station commander or the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison’s Civilian Oversight Directorate on 053 839 1700. 
 
WHERE TO GET HELP
SAPS Crime Stop
Tel: 08600 10111
Gender -Based Violence Command Centre
Tel: 0800 428 428

Stop Gender Violence Helpline
Tel: 0800 150 150
sms *120*7867# from any cell phone
Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA)
Tel: (011) 975 7107
Childline
Tel: 08000 55 555
National Crisis Line
Tel: 086 132 2322
SA National Council for Child Welfare
Tel: 011 339 5741