Western Cape Government drives GBV prevention through Men's Dialogue Initiative

The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety hosted a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Men’s Dialogue on 24 March 2026 at the Voorbrug Sports Field in Delft. This engagement formed part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to address the root causes of violence and build safer, more resilient communities.

The dialogue focused on emotions and emotional regulation, equipping participants with practical tools to better understand and manage their emotional responses. Through guided exercises, attendees explored how awareness of emotions can enable positive behavioural change. Participants were also informed about the power of healthy emotional expression.

The session also created space for reflection and remembrance, with a moment of silence and dedication to a former participant who tragically lost his life. This underscored the need for sustained interventions that address personal trauma.

A key highlight of the programme was the contribution by Melanie Lue, a respected violence prevention researcher and practitioner. Drawing on her extensive experience, she unpacked how the brain processes trauma, the role it plays in shaping behaviour, and the importance of confronting and processing emotional pain. Her insights added significant value to the dialogue, helping participants understand how unaddressed trauma can influence both present and future actions, and why open conversations are essential for healing.

Participants further engaged in practical group discussions, reflecting on real-life scenarios and exploring alternative, non-violent responses. Conversations also highlighted the societal pressures men face in expressing emotions, with many participants noting that the dialogue provided a rare and important space for openness and vulnerability.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, emphasised the importance of such initiatives:

“Initiatives like the GBV Men’s Dialogue are critical in our fight against gender-based violence. By creating safe spaces for men to engage, reflect, and learn healthier ways of expressing emotions, we are building a culture of accountability, empathy and respect.”

Farren Botha, who leads the initiative within the Department, added: “Gender-based violence remains a scourge in our society, and while we will continue to support women who are victims, it is equally important that we actively engage men. We must create opportunities for men to learn healthier, more constructive ways of showing up in the world.”

This dialogue forms part of a pilot programme by the Department in ongoing efforts to foster behavioural change and strengthen community-based approaches to violence prevention. The Department remains committed to expanding such initiatives, recognising that sustainable safety is built through collective action, open dialogue, and a shared responsibility to confront GBV at every level of society.

Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za