DEALING with the scourge of gender-based violence has become a big challenge for the police.
On Thursday, 7 April, Kempton Park Police, the Department of Social Development and SAPS employee health and wellness unit held a Men’s Dialogue with men at the police station.
The cops spoke about their frustration in dealing with GBV, which is the physical and emotional abuse of both men and women who suffer at the hands of their partners.
“Police are frustrated at the lack of support when they are confronted with situations of domestic violence,” said Kempton Park police spokesman Captain Jethro Mtshali.
The SAPS’ psychologist Marumo Chulo emphasised that their role was to ease pressure on police and help them with methods of tackling GBV.
“Our role is to enable members to cope with their duties, and we encourage senior managers to refer members for various interventions such as counselling.”
Social worker from the Department of Social Development, Muntuwenkosi Sibisi, encouraged the officers to speak about the challenges they experience when they perform their duties.
“The outcome gave police assurance that they are not alone,” said Mtshali.
“The police have to further discourage victims against the withdrawal of cases and allow justice to prevail.”
Mtshali said the event was to be held often in an attempt to alleviate incidents of domestic violence in many homes.
