About 50 Manenberg residents formed a human chain along Duinefontein Road, on Saturday, and chanted “enough, enough”, in a protest against abuse.
Sergeant Natasha Landers, the gender-based violence coordinator at Manenberg police station, and neighbourhood watch members organised the demonstration.
Assault and abuse cases had been rising in the area until about two months ago when a gender violence help desk had been launched at the station, she said.
Drug-and-alcohol abuse, which was already prevalent among children in the community, fuelled the problem, she said.
“We are hoping to start more support groups in the area. We’ve started weekly awareness campaigns handing out flyers. I think one of the huge contributors to gender-based violence is drugs because it makes the user violent. Many of our youth are also joining gangs. We need to try to get more positive role models into our community so that the youth won’t turn to drugs and gangsterism.”
Beryl Ruiters, a volunteer at the Manenberg victim support room, said they saw two to eight people a day, including mothers who complained of being abused by children under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
“The victims come in and they cry a lot; they have no hope. You can see a difference in them when they leave the session. After the session, we will refer them to social development or trauma centres and advise on how to get a protection order. We assist them as best we can, but prayer is also a powerful key to changing things. The cycle of abuse must be broken.”
Another victim support room volunteer, Lynette Rossouw, said abuse and crime were rife on the Cape Flats because people were jobless and many lived below the breadline.
“Men are also coming out about abuse now. Previously they were silent. Abuse comes from the home as many of the abusers were abused before. Youth are carrying many of their parents, and we have noticed bullying at schools is picking up.”
The vice-chairwoman of the Silverstream Neighbourhood Watch, Lorraine Benjamin, said children were joining gangs at an ever younger age.
“Many of these children have been abused by their parents both physically and sexually. We need to help these kids. Our children can’t play outside because of what is going on.
“Parents need to take control and be strict with their kids. The community also needs to be more compassionate and caring towards each other and our children, like we once were.”