‘Stop the violence now’

Mossel Bay ACVV social services staff conducted an outreach to the town of Brandwag, outside Mossel Bay, on Friday, 1 December to mark the international United Nations campaign of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

The ACVV staff were astounded at the large turnout of people who supported the campaign.

The events included a protest march through Brandwag and an awareness programme in the community hall in the town. The ACVV noted after the event that the strong message from the community was that it was fed up with violence against women and children.

Brandwag residents, St Luke's Primary School and Pinocchio Creche supported and took part in the line-up of events.

Mossel Bay Fire and Disaster Management Services led the protest.

The Brandwag E-centre organised the venue.

The ACVV stated: "We took hands with them to make the demonstration possible. We offered this service to the Brandwag community. The reason for the protest was to raise awareness of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse. There is a regular occurrence of abuse in the community.

"The turnout from the community exceeded expectations. We expected 300 participants but there were many more than that."

Sirens

Fire Services led the march through the streets of Brandwag, with the sirens of the vehicles calling members of the public to participate.

The march started and ended at the community hall.

The programme at the community hall after the march consisted of items by artists, such as rappers and dancers, from the Brandwag community. There was a drama piece on domestic violence and a pledge of no tolerance of domestic violence was signed by community members and other role players in the campaign.

The ACVV noted: "They vowed to not be silent about abuse, to report it and to educate adults and children about violence against women and children.

"Community members pledged to stand together to support one another and to report abuse to the necessary authorities."

The ACVV thanked those who sponsored the event. "It would not have been possible without donations. Thank you to our donors of bread rolls and Vienna sausages for the hotdogs. Thank you for the donation of cooldrinks and the sound equipment.

"A thank you also goes to the ACVV Mossel Bay social workers who all played a part in the successful campaign: Amanda Beukes, Junique Rhode, Daniële Jantjies, Angelo Erasmus, Luzaan Malan, CraigonLee Keffers and Ané Pretorius."