The “I” against crime
Over the past few months, crime has become a
buzz-word in South African society. All of us
want to live and work in an environment where
violence and crime is limited and where we can
excel without nagging thoughts of fear for our
own and our loved ones’ safety.
Also, the 2010 World Cup Soccer event is drawing
closer and all of us need to do our bit to
ensure the successful bid realises into a safe
and secure environment for all our citizens and
international visitors.
As long as people tolerate criminals in their
midst, even hiding them from the police, as long
as we keep on turning a blind eye on our family
members’ or neighbours’ dubious deals, as long
as we buy stolen goods and ignore the screams of
the woman or child next door being savagely
beaten and raped, crime will prevail and evil
will triumph over good.
Who can help in the fight against crime?
No-one wants to become a victim of crime and
therefore we need to muster all our support
against it.
No-one is too insignificant to play a role in
the fight against crime. The unemployed person
sitting at an intersection begging for a job has
a wonderful vantage point from where he or she
can observe the area and spot criminal
activities going on.
A domestic worker or disabled person who stays
at home can keep an eye and ear on neighbouring
houses and shebeens illegally selling liquor,
especially to school children.
School learners can pin-point drug dealers and
report drug-related activities and farm
labourers usually know rural areas best and can
immediately identify criminal activities.
What can I do?
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Join the CPF structure in
your area.
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Enlist as a Police
Reservist;
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Mobilize against the killing
of the police;
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Observe what is going on
around you Churches and Faith Based
Organisations can conduct sermons that
address topics that afflict communities,
e.g. domestic violence, rape, assault,
theft, alcohol, drug and substance abuse,
vandalism, gangsterism, etc.
Protect your most valuable asset: Your child!
Times are a changing and the technology boom
over the past few years took most parents by
surprise.
Cellphones, television, intranet, x-boxes, i-pods
and MP3-players are these days part of the
playground jargon at every primary school. These
have great educational and entertainment value,
but it also poses threats like exposure to
unsavoury or harmful influences on the Web and
through other devices.
The only way to protect your child against this,
is through responsible parenting:
-
Discourage your kids from
watching movies that have an age limit e.g.
movies that portray acts of violence, the
use of obscene language, portrays the use of
drugs, alcohol and other substances as
“cool” or have scenes with explicit nudity.
-
Buy your child a baseline
mobile phone without functions that may
expose him/her to pornography.
-
Teach your child values,
e.g. that human life is sacred, to respect
his or her and other people’s bodies,
possessions, customs, beliefs, etc.
-
Help your child to find ways
to control his/her temper and manage his/her
anger.
Also:
-
Refrain from using the TV as
a “babysitter”
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Know where and with whom
your child is at all times.
-
Introduce set house rules
and discuss this with your children and
agree upon the terms there of and
appropriate punishment if the rules are
transgressed;
-
Discourage your child from
getting favours from strangers.
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Encourage your child to
report any undue advances including touching
by close relatives or neighbours;
-
Observe your child for signs
of alcohol intake, drugs and substance
abuse, hanging out with known gangsters and
experimenting with pre-marital sex.
CHILD LINE: 0800 055 555
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