Children urged to break silence
A PLEDGE to end violence against women and children was read out at the Saartjie Baartman Centre during the annual “Air Your Dirty Laundry” event aimed at encouraging the victims of abuse to speak out.
About 700 children from Manenberg and surrounding areas read out the pledge: “I will do my part to keep my community and schools safe. I will not be violent and disrespectful to others. I understand that violence is never accepted. I will pledge to keep the peace and stop the silence. It starts with me.”
Elated Saartjie Baartman Centre director, Shaheema McLeod, said it was the highest attendance in the seven-year history of the event. But the numbers reflected the sad reality that women and children seeking help were getting younger and younger.
The centre was established 17 years ago for abused women and children and has assisted more than 180 000 victims. The number of those seeking assistance at the centre’s emergency shelter has increased by 65 percent.
“‘Air Your Dirty Laundry’ is an artistic platform that gives young people a chance to speak out against violence. Children are silenced far too often on the subject of abuse, bullying and sexual exploitation. Our campaign aims to raise awareness around violence and pervasiveness in homes and communities,” said McLeod.
Manenberg police captain Ian Bennett said the main challenges in ensuring children’s safety were drugs and gangsterism. “We are trying by all means to bring comfort to children. We want them to realise that they were born to be great. We would like to have a society free of crime where children can see everyone as their friends,” he said.
A local hip-hop artist, Riyadh Roberts, 24, said he encouraged children to speak out by listening to their social problems and integrating them in his songs. “In that way I refuse to let them keep quiet. We write people off once they succumb to the pressures of social ills. We treat drug addicts and the homeless as non-humans. I have friends who are still on drugs, but I still go and listen to see how I can help them.”