Residents of Rwamagana District have been called on to increase efforts against gender-based-violence and child abuse by providing timely information to Police and other security agencies.

The call was made, yesterday, during a community meeting meant to foster dialogue about crime prevention.

The meeting attracted Police officers, other security personnel, local leaders and residents.

During the discussions, Assistant Commissioner of Police Theos Badege the Commissioner for CID, noted that timely information is very necessary in preventing and solving crimes.

He noted that it is through community policing that a mutual relationship built on trust can be cemented between police and citizens.

"Police established the Gender Desk Directorate and Isange One-Stop Centre and came up with other initiatives which offer free services to victims, and also offers emergency investigations and deployment the moment we receive credible and timely information about any crime,” he said.

"Do not let GBV and child abuse go unreported. Police is here to work with you to address such crimes and other challenges in society.

‘‘Therefore, as residents you have a responsibility to play your part in protecting your communities by respecting the law at all times and collaborating with Police to tackle crimes.”

The Executive Secretary of Nyakariro Sector, Alphonse Niyonzima, told residents at the community meeting that they should understand their individual roles in ending GBV by sensitising their communities about equality and the need to protect women and children rights.

"Working together will send out a strong message to those in the habit of torturing women and children that they cannot commit a crime and walk scot-free. Through community policing, we can, together with Police, ensure that crimes are prevented or solved in time and that social justice is upheld,” he said.

Superintendent Beline Mukamana, the head of anti-Gender-based Violence and Child Protection Directorate at Rwanda National Police, urged parents, guardians and the general public to always report to Police cases of defilement, rape and other cases of GBV for Police to conduct investigations.

Residents in the area also filed complaints to Police through the Mobile Police Station Vehicle, which was introduced last year to extend police services to citizens living or working in places far away from Police stations.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw