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GEORGE NEWS - To decrease the mortality rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, Georgian Debbie Pijoos, founder of God Cares International, and her team have developed a world-first GBV response app.
The app, God Cares GBV, was launched at a prestigious event at the Oubaai Hotel on Thursday 31 March.
It was introduced by IT developer involved with God Cares, Matthew Bellas. The app is currently undergoing the last of the developmental phases and should be live in about two weeks if all goes according to plan.
During a recent survey done by God Cares International in George, Great Brak River, Mossel Bay, Melkhoutfontein, Oudtshoorn, Uniondale and Albertinia, 10 625 households were visited and interviews conducted, after which a comprehensive report was compiled.
These reports showed that 7 383 adults in the above-mentioned areas and 11 643 children under the age of 18 were affected by GBV. This means that for every one adult interviewed, 1,5 children were affected.
Founder of God Cares International Debbie Pijoos during their app launch on Thursday evening.
During the survey it was also found that of the five main contributors to GBV, substance abuse was the highest at 41%, followed by jealousy (17%), poverty or financial abuse (14%), physical abuse (12%) and, lastly, third parties (7%).
This was one of the reasons the team decided to develop a user-friendly app to assist not only victims and their family members, but also offenders and those would like to assist and fight the war against GBV.
With the app people won't only be able to reach out for assistance or emergency care, but interested parties will be able to register as volunteers or friends in the buddy system and have access to other services provided by God Cares.
"We're looking at the root and not the fruit. The app is merely one of our intervention strategies," said Pijoos. "Once registered on the app, users will have access to other interventions and services. Community or church groups, companies and employers are also welcome to speak to us about training that we can give to assist victims, children, parents and others affected by GBV.
"I'm super excited and it's important for me that we bring this to other areas. The app is a tool to access the interventions, but we can't deliver services if people aren't willing to take part.
"We invite each and everyone to speak to us. Whether you are a victim, whether you want to assist in prevention or if you simply want to find out more about what we do and how we can help you, please contact us."
The app also focuses on the assistance and debriefing of children who grow up in homes with GBV. "Broken children take their brokenness to school. With the correct debriefing, we can prevent violence, bullying and crime at school level and leave our children and the generations to come, a legacy to build on," said Pijoos.
About 130 people attended the launch. Photos: Kristy Kolberg
GBV officers at the workplace
Pijoos also spoke about GBV information officers at the workplace. This is a new initiative they launched among businesses in the area.
The role of the GBV information officers is to break the barriers of silence and isolation associated with GBV and create a sense of belonging and acceptance among employees, and also to provide GBV education and resources to both survivors and transgressors at the workplace.
The GBV information officer will open a gateway of opportunities for the employer and employees to foster each other's well-being and help employees to register on the app as either a victim, transgressor or volunteer.
For assistance regarding GBV or GBV intervention services, please contact God Cares on 072 301 9767 or send and e-mail to debbie@godcares.org.za.
From left are Captain Ronald Plaatjies, Ethel Potgieter (God Cares), GBV information officers of Afro Fishing in Mossel Bay Deidre Minnies and Bonita Strydom, Debbie Pijoos and Pastor Len Kok of God Cares.
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