Police, NGOs and health teams take GBVF awareness to Kempton Park streets
Kempton Park — A joint outreach by Kempton Park Social Crime Prevention, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), Tutela Family Care Kempton Park, Spartan Clinic and the WITS RHI Mobile Clinic brought gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) awareness and basic health services to the corner of Greyilla Avenue and Kerk Street on 27 August.
The multi-agency event combined one-on-one engagements, group discussions and health screenings to reach residents who are often unable or unwilling to access services during standard clinic hours. According to the organisers, the initiative also specifically targeted vulnerable women, including sex workers, who local police said face heightened risks of violence and exploitation.
“They are part of our community and highly vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Free health screenings, contraceptives and safety tips were provided to the women,”
Sergeant Constance Ramawela, Social Crime Prevention co‑ordinator at Kempton Park SAPS, said the outreach was intended to build trust between the police and marginalised women while providing immediate health referrals where necessary. The programme was arranged after station-level analysis of crime statistics flagged domestic and gender-based incidents as a persistent problem in the area.
Ramawela said the station wanted to make clear that SAPS is available to protect and assist victims, and to discourage silence and further victimisation. Community members who attended were reminded of their rights to safety, dignity and access to healthcare, and were encouraged to report abuse through standard channels.
Services on offer
The outreach combined prevention messaging with practical services. According to the partners, attendees could access:
- confidential counselling and referrals for GBVF survivors;
- basic health screenings, including HIV testing and sexual and reproductive health services;
- distribution of contraceptives and information on where to access ongoing care;
- advice on safety planning and how to report crimes to police.
| Partner | Role at outreach |
|---|---|
| Kempton Park SAPS Social Crime Prevention | Coordination, safety advice, building police–community trust |
| People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) | GBVF education, support services information |
| Tutela Family Care Kempton Park | Counselling and referrals |
| Spartan Clinic | Health screening and on-site care |
| WITS RHI Mobile Clinic | Mobile clinical services including HIV testing |
Organisers reported that several people were screened, counselled and referred for further assistance during the session. POWA also used the opportunity to outline the different forms of GBV and the support available to victims, and the organisation maintains an office at Kempton Park SAPS where survivors may seek help.
Local context and follow-up
The outreach is part of a broader Social Crime Prevention strategy to address GBVF and reduce domestic violence-related incidents identified in station crime statistics. For Kempton Park residents, such events are an attempt to link street-level intervention with the formal support system — police, health services and specialised NGOs.
Police and partner groups stressed that outreach activities are not a substitute for formal reporting and investigation. They urged victims and witnesses to report incidents so that cases can be investigated and perpetrators held to account. The station has not published figures on referrals or follow-up investigations arising from this particular outreach.
Community members who need assistance were reminded that SAPS remains the primary emergency contact for crimes in progress, and organisations such as POWA can provide further counselling and legal guidance. Those seeking follow-up services can approach the Kempton Park SAPS office, where POWA operates an on-site presence.
The outreach underlines an ongoing challenge for Gauteng metros: reaching at-risk residents where they are and converting community engagement into durable protection and access to care. For Kempton Park, repeat and sustained interventions — paired with clear case follow-through — will be key if the campaign is to cut violence rather than merely raise awareness.
Reporting on this event was based on the information released by Kempton Park Social Crime Prevention and partner organisations following the 27 August outreach.
