The DA in the WC welcomes the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) successful implementation of the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP), which has seen its service reach 5701 GBV victims as Gender based Violence remains the ‘second pandemic’ in the country.
Whilst the number of victims of GBV remains high, the provincial DSD’s programmes enables more women to step forward and seek support. The number of people accessing the VEP services has more than doubled, increasing from 2518 to 5701 over a one-year period.
The VEP services include a range of psychosocial support, prevention of ongoing victimisation, and a shelter service.
MPP Gillion Bosman says: “We commend the provincial Department of Social Development for running effective programmes dealing with the social ills plaguing this province. I will be writing to the MEC for Social Development to enquire further on other support given to women and children who are victims of abuse, as well as their efforts to collaborate with NPOs in this regard.
These programmes are needed to ensure that people are once again given a voice and help them get back on track.
We are, however, still concerned with the lack of urgency by national government to support victims of GBV. National government has yet to respond to fix the unused forensic robotics machines which would help fast-track criminal cases of GBV and give victims the justice they deserve.”
The DA in the Western Cape remains committed at finding solutions to deal with this ‘second pandemic’.
