Safety talk for Queens Park high pupils

Abduction, gender violence, safe sex, and the harm caused by alcohol and drugs were some of the topics dealt with when a non-profit organisation that helps to find missing people visited Queens Park High School in Woodstock, last Friday.

The Western Cape Missing Persons Unit (WCMPU) was joined by Woodstock police and staff from the Spencer Road Clinic for a Women’s Month programme at the school.

WCMPU committee member Rafiqa Booley said it was important for children of all ages to tell their parents where they were going.

“We have encountered cases where perhaps its school holidays where both parents are working, then the children and teenagers go out without telling their parents, then they go missing,” she said.

The organisation also cautioned children to never accept any drinks from adults that they did not know.

Sergeant Pethlo Joseph, from Woodstock police, warned the pupils about drug and alcohol abuse as well as the dangers of underage and non-consensual sex. “They are at this young age where they want to explore. That’s the most dangerous times and that is where mistakes can be made.”

Grade 11 pupil Requesha Johnson, of Maneberg, said it was important to acknowledge the role of women in society. “There will be many people that try to bring us down, though we do have the power and right to make our voices heard,” she said.

Another Grade 11, Elisa Mwenda, of District Six, said children should be taught to respect one another. “Both my mother and grandmother were victims of racism of the old regime, and they always encourage me to do better and be an inspiration for other women out there.”

Queens Park High principal Nicolene Abrahams said: “It is important not only for women to know their rights but for our males to be part of the conversation, so that if men know of anyone who was a victim of violence or crime, they report it.”

Spencer Road clinic health promotion officer Ndilisa Mzayiya spoke to the pupils about safe and consensual sex.