Western Cape Government and SAPS Take a Stand During 16 Days of Activism

Joint Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, and Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport

The Western Cape Government and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are, together, teaming up with violence stricken communities in Cape Town to take a stand against violence against women and children.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children runs annually between 25 November and 10 December. This year’s official partnership between the Western Cape Government, through the Department of Community Safety as lead entity, with the SAPS will strengthen the bond towards safer environments.

All Government entities provide all services available continuously throughout the year. The 16 Days Campaign provides us with an opportunity to highlight what is on offer and to expand the reach of all safety role-players, better together, to turn 16 days of activism into the next 365 days of action against violence and abuse.

As we in South Africa observe the 16^th anniversary of the United Nations’ 16 Days campaign the Western Cape Government acknowledges that safety is everyone’s responsibility and that all must be ignited to stand against violence and abuse.

The Western Cape Government believes that safety starts in your home and within your own family. This is why we have chosen to take up the challenge in the Western Cape, starting in every home, under the theme: “Safety starts in the family”.

The activities during the upcoming 16 Days of Activism will be centred on empowering communities with the knowledge, the opportunity and the capacity to take a stand against abuse and encourage them through key motivators to break the cycle of abuse.

For 16 days we, the Western Cape Department of Community Safety and the SAPS, will march in partnership with communities to:

• Increase awareness of abuse and how to break the cycle;
• Challenge perpetrators to change their behaviour or face the full force of the law;
• Communicate the help available to our communities and the places of safety for victims;
• Enhance and encourage partnerships between government, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, private sector and the media in an effort to curb the violence.

During the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport will also be partnering with the Department of Community Safety to create awareness against abuse. A feature event will be the Youth Soccer Tournament to be held at the Mandela Park Stadium on 6 December 2014.

The event will see 240 youths from across Khayelitsha compete in a soccer tournament while non-participating youths and families are encouraged to attend the day which will also feature exhibitions, vendors, a sound stage as well as the City of Cape Town’s ‘Come Play’ initiative who will be hosting other games and activities.

The day promises to be a true family occasion in creating awareness about safety, the importance of the family and standing up against violence and abuse in our homes and communities.

On Monday 24 November we will also be hosting a press conference at which we will launch an awareness campaign with local tv, radio and sport stars who all have committed to taking a stand against the abuse of women and children. We wish to speak to the people of the Western Cape in a way that they will understand under the theme: Create a Culture of Respect.

We believe this theme is an easy one to grasp that will make the people of this province understand that violence against women and children can be fought but it takes a whole society to effect that change.

In conclusion of the 16 days of activism campaign my department will be hosting a public meeting at which local and traditional leaders of the Khayelitsha and surrounding areas will be making their pledge to fight against abuse of women and children beyond the 16 days of this campaign.

We as Government, including the SAPS and Departments represented here today, cannot do this alone. We need your help.

For the survival of our communities, we have to rid our communities of the violence and abuse from within our communities:

• In South Africa a child goes missing every six hours and more than 100 cases of child abuse are reported weekly while, all too often, the perpetrators are known to the victim.
• In South Africa a woman is raped every 36 seconds and the majority of women who are assaulted know the perpetrator.

We all have a responsibility to protect our children. Parents must take responsibility for their children and know where your children are at all times.

Women have a right to be safe and treated with respect. Partners and family members must take care of each other. 

Only when we have peace in our homes, can we have peace in our communities.

If anyone suspects abuse, report it immediately to SAPS on 10111 (24 hour service), Stop Gender Violence Helpline on 0800 150 150, Childline on 080 055 555 or contact the Western Cape Government Contact Centre on 0800 220 250 (7am – 7pm) to be connected to the Department of Social Development. For support and more information, SMS the word INFO to 35 395, or visit www.westerncape.gov.za

We, as a collective, challenge every person in the province to ensure that Safety starts in the family and observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children towards 365 days of action to eradicate violence from our communities, Better Together.

*The draft schedule of events is listed below, confirmed venues and times will be updated on the website and communicated timeously.