The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has marked the end of the national campaign of 16 Days of Activism, with a door-to-door campaign in the community of Phoenix and the handover of the VEP services directory to the Milnerton Police Station.
The door-to-door teams were made up of 19 social workers from the Metro North regional office and the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP).
The department purposefully chose the community of Phoenix after the recent discovery of a murdered woman’s body, which had been covered in a blanket and dumped in the local children’s park.
Our message to the community was clear, “if you see something, say something. End the silence”. The department has prioritized the province’s 1.7-million children and 2.1-million women. Through the Children and Families programme and the VEP the department spends R630.7-million on key development and protection services.
DSD ended the campaign at the Milnerton police station, with a hand-over of a copy of the VEP services directory to the Station Commander, Brigadier Marius Stander, by Ms. Soraya Abrahams (Regional Director of the DSD Metro North Office) and Ms. Renee Botha (VEP Programme Manager).
Even as we mark the end of the national 16 Days campaign, the work done by DSD continues. We can end the abuse of women and children if we continue to work together and build partnerships with communities. The public can report any cases of abuse of women and children by approaching our social workers at regional or local offices, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development
Western Cape Government
7th floor, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8000
Tel : (021) 483 9217
Cell : 076 083 6543