What Can We Do To Stop The Violence and Assault?

Menanteau Serfontein – 23 February 2021

Have you ever thought what you and I can do to stop the endemic violence in South Africa, including Gender-based Violence and Indecent Assault of Children?

In South Africa, during 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, the following crime statistics were recorded (The Source of most of the Statistics was Africa Check):

21 325 murders (58 per day or 2,4 per hour). Of these, 2 695 were women (or 7 per day) and 943 were children (or 3 per day)
165 494 cases of Common Assault (453 per day or 19 per hour)
205 959 cases of House Burglary (464 per day or 24 per hour)
51 825 cases of Common Robbery (142 per day or 6 per hour)
46 921 cases of Car and Motor Cycle Theft (129 per day)
18 162 cases of Car Hijacking
164 cases of Cash in Transit Heists
53 293 Sexual Offences (146 per day or 6 every hour)
42 289 reported cases of Rape (116 per day or 5 every hour)

I specifically wish to single out the sickening Gender-based Violence as well as the numerous cases of Assault, Violence and Indecency against children (girls and boys) which is out of control in South Africa. This type of evil barbarism is unthinkable and unfathomable, but incidents of this nature are nevertheless widespread.

I am sure that everyone will agree that all these figures are alarming to say the least. How did it happen that our society has descended to this level? What can you and I (and others in society) do to stem the tide and contribute to fundamental changes to the underlying causes for these statistics? The solutions are complex, but I firmly believe that one of the primary causes for these dire realities is the fact that people have lost the knowledge, understanding and application of what is “right (good)” and what is “wrong (bad)”.

There is clearly a desperate need for people to be taught from scratch the ABSOLUTE TRUTHS about “right vs wrong” and for values and norms to be adopted that are aligned with traditional humanity that transcend faith persuasions.

In several of the articles that have previously been posted on this Website, I have done my best to document the meaning, need and application of traditional universal values that are needed to be instilled for society to change. In this regard, listed below for ease of reference, are examples of articles that contain details of key principles:

Ideally, all the values and principles contained in the above articles should be taught. However, in the context of the topic of this particular article that deals specifically with Violence and Assault, everyone must be taught from childhood and beyond, that any behaviour related to murder, assault, violence, gender-based violence and indecent abuse of children is WRONG and unacceptable and will not be tolerated. A new culture has to be created which teaches right from wrong at all times in all situations irrespective of the circumstances, i.e. to do what is right (even when no-one sees you), because it is the right thing to do.

Part of the “new culture” should include that it is immoral for a man to lift his hand against a woman (or vice versa) and that any form of child abuse is wrong, abhorrent and unacceptable.

This cannot continue. Learning right from wrong must be taught everywhere starting at home, school, government institutions, the private sector, at the workplace and in places of worship.

Enough is enough. Each one of us has a responsibility do our bit to make a difference.