Pretoria - Numerous police officers marched to Pretoria central on Wednesday morning, raising awareness of the dangers of women and child abuse, as part of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Led by Lieutenant-General Sharon Jephta and other senior officers, the procession headed into the city centre issuing pamphlets and waving placards.
"Today we are taking social responsibility for social issues. Our focus today is primarily on the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Our theme is 'count me in'. We want to be counted in as as we fight the scourge against abuse of women and children," Jephta told African News Agency (ANA).
"We are reaching out to our communities, to raise awareness and telling the women and children out there to break the silence."
She said abuse of women and children had far reaching consequences beyond the physical scars for the victims.
"Emotional abuse is something that is hidden. You don't see it but you feel it. Women usually do not speak out. This emotional abuse lives in them and it is a silent killer for them," she said.
"For children specifically, it destroys their self esteem."
Jephta appealed to South African communities to speak out and report incidents of abuse to police. In a statement issued earlier the South African Police Service said the aim of the day was to advocate and raise awareness against the negative impact of violence against women and children.