About 600 members of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) and community health workers from the districts of Kirehe, Rusizi, Rulindo and Gisagara were on Tuesday sensitised on management of gender based violence and the referral systems for the victims. The separate meetings aimed at enhancing the community’s prevention and response to GBV and child abuse. They targeted CPCs and community health workers in some of the districts, where Isange One Stop centres have been established, carrying out awareness on gender violence with emphasis on rape, and how participants can 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 Inspector of Police Danny Uwimana, who is attached 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 said. "The involvement of the community in crime detection, prevention and response alongside the Police has led to increased crime reporting to relevant organs and increased demand to aftercare services at Police Anti GBV and Child Protection and Isange One Stop Centres,” Uwimana added. The awareness will be extended to other districts as part of efforts to help victims access justice.

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