{About 600 members of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) and community health workers from the districts of Kirehe, Rusizi, Rulindo and Gisagara were on December 15 sensitized on prevention, response and management of gender based violence cases and the referral systems of the victims.}
The separate meetings conducted by Isange one Stop centre staff aimed at enhancing the community’s prevention and response to GBV and child abuse.
It targeted the CPCs and community health workers in some of the district where Isange One Stop centre has been established, trough awareness on gender violence with emphasis on rape and defilement and how these partners can further handle and refer victims to established Isange centres.
Isange, which has been scaled up to 17 hospitals across the country, offers free medical, legal and psycho-socio services to victims of GBV and child abuse.
According to Danny IP Danny Uwimana, a staff to Isange One stop centre, awareness against GBV and child protection has proved to be an effective strategy on crime reduction and victim reporting.
“Very important is that the community gets updated information on what’s happening, how to handle it, and where to report or refer cases,” he ssaid.
“The involvement of the community in crime detection, prevention and response alongside the Police has lead to increased crime reporting to relevant organs and increased demand to survivor aftercare services at Police Anti GBV and Child Protection and Isange One Stop Centres,” he added.
The awareness, which will also benefit in other districts, is further expected to help victims access justice, a foundation for good governance. It also helps to reduce poverty, front the idea of good relationship between the Police and the community, among others.
“The community workers will be familiarized with the GBV management and child abuse as a security issue as well as a health issue and its management.”
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