Motlaka teaches communities about their human rights  

The SA Constitution is widely praised as one of the most progressive and transformative in the world, but many still live under the weight of abuse in this country.

Seipati Motlaka, a field worker for the Foundation of Justice SA (FoJSA), said she would use every opportunity to teach Ekurhuleni residents about their rights.

Motlaka said she often visits local clinics to find willing ears, “There is so much information out there and so much help available for the people in our communities, but they cannot access these opportunities if they do not know where to find them.”

The FoJSA promotes the human rights of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, women and youth. Motlaka said she meets many GBV victims stuck in their violent environments.

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“The first question a person will ask is, ‘If I leave, where will I go?’ There are places of safety all over town. You could walk past daily and not know what work they do there,” she added.

Motlaka said victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in the province can seek help at Green Doors, which gives victims a safe place, counselling, advice on opening cases and acting against their abusers, basic emotional support and care, and a place to temporarily rest as the department looks for placements in safe houses. The service works on a 24-hour basis.

Ambassadors, who are trained to help victims deal with their situations, manage these facilities and ensure all the victims receive equal support and a place of comfort.

“Residents should take full advantage of GBV Bridages, which do door-to-door campaigns. Our police stations also have victim-friendly rooms (VFRs),” she said.

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The GBV Brigades from the Department of Community Safety are meant to be on the frontlines of their respective wards in Gauteng to educate and create awareness about GBV’s effects.

VFRs are dedicated rooms at a police station that give a space for victims of intimate violence (GBV, child abuse, sexual offences and domestic violence) to make their statements in private in an unthreatening environment.

“People are also encouraged to approach the Department of Social Development for help. There are many instances when a person may not want to file a complaint with the police. Maybe she is dealing with a child addicted to drugs and needs some intervention for her family,” she added.

She also encouraged men to speak out against abuse where they are victims. For more information, contact Foundation of Justice SA on 083 486 2771 or [email protected]