We Commit to Fighting GBV 365 Days a Year, Not Just 16

Dear Editor

Yesterday, as we marked the first day of 16 Days of Activism, I had the humbling privilege of visiting a safe house for victims of gender-based violence (GBV) in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.

It was a powerful reminder that a committed government working with dedicated citizens can have a significant impact on the lives of the survivors of violence and bring about meaningful healing within our communities.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) commits to doing everything we can, to fighting, combatting, and overcoming the scourge of GBV, all 365 days of the year. This requires an intensive approach to overcome gender-based violence.

Engaging with the survivors of abuse in the safe house, hearing their tragic stories, whilst at the same time seeing a glimmer of a renewed sense of hope and courage, I was convinced that with the right government policy and support we can break the cycle of GBV in South Africa.

I am very encouraged that where the DA governs we are seeing meaningful, substantial, systemic actions that are both addressing GBV, preventing its perpetuation, and supporting the survivors of GBV in more ways. But there is so much more to be done, requiring governments to work together.

Through a whole-of-society approach, the DA is proving that real change is possible and aims to address GBV across the country by:

• Improving services at police stations through training of staff, especially those who provide GBV-specific services.
• Investing in evidence-based identification measures that enhance the likelihood of GBV perpetrators being apprehended.
• Enhancing GBV prevention systems and strengthening community support strategies.
• Ensuring GBV survivors have access to response services by providing GBV victims with critical material assistance, such as healthcare, legal services, shelter, and dignity kits.
• Increasing public awareness campaigns on GBV.
• Developing perpetrator interventions to focus on perpetrators of family and sexual violence in a way that both responds to and prevents violence.
• Ensuring mechanisms are in place to guarantee the security of victims to protect them against further harm, especially throughout the criminal justice system.
• Implementing effective monitoring mechanisms for GBV cases to ensure that they are investigated, prosecuted, and resolved per established laws and procedures.

The DA is determined to build a South Africa, where all South Africans can live free from fear, where all have equal access to opportunity, and prosperity, and where children have hope of a future filled with potential.

Wherever the DA governs, and as members of the Government of National Unity, we will continue to implement and advocate for a sustained, sincere, whole-of-society approach, 365 days of the year.

Regards

John Steenhuisen MP
Leader of the Democratic Alliance