Picture: The NWU students and SAPS members embark on a GBV campaign/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West University (NWU) management said it is concerned about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases taking place at the institution. According to statistics, the most affected campus is Mafikeng, compare to other campuses such as Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark.
The member of the North West University council, Pego Kgomo said the GBV cases keep increasing. Kgomo further said they have realised that most students including community members do not want to speak up.
“They experience these cases but tell themselves that once they speak up, people will laugh and mock them. However, through this campaign, we are saying to them that, instead of keeping quiet, let us try and involve certain organisations that will assist them.
“For instance, the NWU has appointed a former police officer who works mainly with GBV cases. Because she is a woman, then it becomes easier for women to speak up. I do not think at times men are too empathetic when it comes to GBV cases than women themselves,” he said.
Kgomo added that women feel the pain of others, so it is easier for another woman to relate. He also called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that GBV cases are properly prosecuted.
“The reason I called out the law enforcement agencies is that, in most cases, there are GBV cases that are thrown out of court not because the victims did not present a winnable case, but because certain cases are being bought.
“Sometimes evidence is destroyed for nefarious reasons. So, we say, these things need to stop. We are not doing this for the benefit of students only, but for the upcoming generations, so that they can have safer campuses and country,” said Kgomo.
He said everyone has a pivotal role to play and be involved. Kgomo said it is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that GBV statistics go down.
“We can play a crucial role by raising awareness. Most importantly, if we can share love, we will win this pandemic. Cases are being reported at the campus all the time and the management is doing its best to assist the affected students.
“Our only challenge is that, when these cases leave the institution and are taken over by the law enforcement agencies, there is nothing that we can do. I do not have figures with me now, but what I can tell you is that this campus is leading when it comes to GBV cases compared to other campuses,” he said.
The North West University (NWU) Counsel psychologist and Manager for Student Development Centre, Lerato Wana said: “I think our students have lost faith either in the services on the campus or in the law enforcement agencies. So, it is important that we try and rebuild that faith and trust in the services that are available.
“At the campus, date rape is common and many of our students are violated by the people they know. Either close friends or those they are in a relationship with. Also, some of our students are trusty with their male friends or colleagues.
“There is a lot that we need to teach male students, who are going to serve in our communities one day as professionals. We need to spend more time on these students and teach them how to treat themselves with respect and exonerate that to female students.”
Wana said, generally, most victims across the country, do not report this kind of cases because they are thrown out of court.
The Crime Prevention Officer from Mmabatho Police Station, Sergeant Monica Kraai said they condemn the actions of the police officers who do not investigate the GBV cases thoroughly and deliver poor services to the people. Kraai said they will continue to work hand-in-hand with the members of the community because they are their ears and eyes on the ground.
“We encourage the affected victims to come and open cases timeously because the evidence is within their bodies,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West University (NWU) student, Oscar Mosenogi shared the same sentiments. Mosenogi said, the university is doing much to give support to the victims.
“We highly appreciate the support from the university and the community at large for their unwavering support. We need to stand together and say no to GBV. We need to stand together in solidarity with the affected students and tell them that, it is safe to report and speak up about their ordeal concerning GBV cases.
“We wanted to create the platform to break the silence and encourage students to report these cases. This is a great initiative and we want to encourage students to come to us and ensure that cases are reported,” he said.
The Guardian 