16 Days of Activism welcomed, but lots of extra work still needed
New stats paint bleak picture of violence against women, kids
Statistics released in recent months paint a bleak picture when it comes to violence against women and children.
A report published by StatsSA found crime was experienced by almost all citizens, irrespective of their economic status or where they lived.
The report points out that female-headed households appear to be prone to experiencing crimes such as assault or housebreaking.
“As we prepare for the annual commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, it is clear we need to do much more to keep our women and children safe,” said Charnel Hattingh, head of group marketing and communications for Fidelity Services Group.
Her comments come on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, which is due to kick off on November 25. It also follows hot on the heels of crime statistics issued by police minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday November 23.
”The safety of SA’s women and children is an important issue that must enjoy the attention and focused action all year long and not just for 16 days at the end of the year, she adds.
“Crimes against our women and children should be rooted out, and this 16 Days campaign certainly has value in again focusing our attention.
“However, our focus should extend to cover all 12 months of the year. We can do this by following basic safety tips and making sure we share these tips with our loved ones and talk about safe personal habits throughout the year,” said Hattingh.
’Many opportunistic criminals will be on the lookout for what they perceive to be ‘soft targets’. This means that being aware of your surroundings and potential threats is perhaps one of the most valuable lines of defence,” she explained.
Hattingh offers the following pointers for women, which she recommends should be discussed and shared far and wide:
Of utmost importance is to trust your instincts. Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area.
Contact your private security service provider and ask them if they offer a
mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone.
Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres, petrol stations, and the like. Ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway, be it your own or a friend’s.
If you are driving, the first thing to do once you are inside your vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked.
Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside.
Try and make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surroundings and keep yourself and your family safe.
“There are also safety tips which we should share with our children, to help keep them safe from harm,” says Hattingh:
They must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. Stick to streets they know and never take shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots and never walk with cell phones and iPads in full view.
If they get picked up at school, they should never leave the premises but always wait inside the school grounds for their lift to arrive.
They must never get into a stranger’s car; even if the stranger claims that someone they love is hurt and that they have been sent to pick them up. Remind them that you would never send someone they don’t know to fetch them.
Consider using a password system. If the person coming to collect you from school cannot repeat the password you and your child agreed on, they should not get into the car but immediately ask for help.
If a stranger approaches them, they should not talk to them no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab them, they need to fight, kick and shout out that the person is not their mom or dad.
If your child does encounter any suspicious activity, encourage them to get a good look and memorise their physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are in. Listen for any names or other details that might help identify them later.
Make sure your children memorise their full names, address, and phone number. Using a play phone, teach them when and how to dial 10111.
Find out from your security company if they offer a mobile tracking app that can be downloaded on your child’s cell phone. This is an effective way of alerting emergency service providers when you need them while also giving them your accurate location.
By exercising these precautions, Hattingh believes women and children can develop good safety habits that will assist them in avoiding dangerous situations.