Research Symposium to focus on Violence against Women and Children
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will on 01 and 02 March (Thursday and Friday) attend a two days research symposium focusing on violence against women and children at Manhattan hotel in Pretoria.
The symposium which will be held under the theme, “Strengthening Research Collaboration to Support the fight on violence against women and children;” will unfold as a partnership between the United Nations bodies including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Some of the topics to be discussed include, Working with perpetrators of domestic violence, Alternative ways to deal with perpetrators of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking: Sex work and violence as well as the Psycho-social factors contributing to economically independent women staying in abusive relationships.
As part of eliminating incidents of gender based violence in the country; the Department of Social Development established Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) to provide professional trauma counselling support to victims of gender based violence. The GBVCC is also a 24-hour call centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to those affected by gender-based related violence; especially women and children.
The toll-free number to call for assistance is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV). Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone. It also caters for the disabled through a Skype and SMS facility. Callers can dial helpmegbv.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the two days symposium arranged as follows:
Date: Thursday and Friday, March 01 - 02, 2018
Time: 09h00
Venue: Manhattan Hotel, 247 Scheiding Street, Pretoria Central
Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Jaconia Kobue on 063 249 5120 / Mr Justice Malapane on 079 4977 426 or send an email to JusticeD@dsd.gov.za and JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries may be forwarded to:
Mr Bathembu Futshane
Cell: 073 993 9391
E-mail: BathembuF@dsd.gov.za
