Members of the Democratic Alliance Women Network (DAWN) have marched to the Pretoria Central Police Station to deliver a memorandum on women and children abuse. This forms part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against the abuse of women and children.
The march was led by DA Gauteng leadership including the Network’s leader, Denise Robinson. The DA demands among others the re-introduction of the specialised police units to deal with cases of abuse.
The newly re-elected DA Gauteng leader, John Moodley was among the males who in solidarity joined the march. Moodley called on all men to stand up against the abuse of women and children.
“As the DA we stand in solidarity with all our women and children who are victims of abuse mostly by men and then mostly by relatives and people that they know and that is a very sad state of affairs that we face as South Africans. We as men say Not in My Name.”
The DA memorandum containing a list of demands and recommendations was read by DA councillor Mpho Mehlape. “The memorandum reads as follows: The DA is here today to advocate and break the cycle of abuse against women and children.”
DAWN leader Denise Robinson says abuse comes in many different forms. She says it is about time that the communities and the police work together to stop the scourge of abuse.
“Abuse is not only physical abuse; it’s also mental and emotional abuse. And we are here to say we are going to stump this out. NO means NO! Kwanele – kwanele! Genoeg is genoeg! We are going to take our neighbourhood back and we are going to say to our police who are our friend’s thank you very much for what you do.”
DA has also called on government to introduce special desk at the police stations and in courts that will assists victims of abuse with counselling. Brigadier Rienette Pieterse received the memorandum and promised to hand it over to the SAPS’ top management who will respond accordingly to the listed demands.
Watch related video:
