What I DID for the 16 Days of Activism: Sharing your strategies

Crossroads is a place where people can come for assistance in any matter, especially on abuse, teen pregnancies, abuse rape and domestic violence. We started the 16 days of activism on the 24th of November 00:00 that evening in a shopping centre in the CBD area of VANDERBIJLPARK. The head of the police, Dir Zodwa Molefi and other police personel were there as well as other people from the community.

The personel of Netcare and 911 were also there to show their support in this campaign. Businessmen were also present to support CROSSROADS in this awareness campaign of abuse against woman, children and men.250 Candles were lit on a cross to all those who were victims of abuse as a symbol of hope and our love for them as victims of such a horrible crime. We had big posters on the wall, making huge statements against any abuses of woman and children. Pictures and video clips were played from 06:30 in the morning till 22:00 in the evening to make people more aware of this terrible crime in our community.

People could light a candle for any donation and the plan was to receive enough money to establish another place of safety as we have only one in our community to be used. We were a bit dissapointed but were thankfull for the almost 500 people who did light a candle and gave a donation. We have received almost R18000 and this would be used in the new year to the benefit of our community. Whilst we were in the centre a lot of woman and even men came to share their stories of abuse and how it affected their lives. Many victims of crime also lit a candle for a family member or friend who died due to crime or even HIV.

It was a long 16 days but we were fortunate to have done it. We finished last night with a final program and ended the 16 days by singing LET THE CHILDREN HAVE A WORLD together. 250 candles were againt put to light, after when the big candle that burned since 00:00 24th November were blown out by our guest speaker Mrs Millo Malhou. We believe there are more awareness as all the local radio stations were involved and people heard about everything happening for the past 16 days. One woman and her child came to us for help, after been savagely beaten and she and her child are still in a place of safety.

Many will be visiting CROSSROADS regulary in order to learn to act and keep themselves safer in abusive relationships. It was 'n privilege this year to have done this and we are looking forward in doing a bigger and better campaign next year.