Masithethe Counselling Services (MCS) conducted a programme at day care centres in East London to mark the start of the national 16 Days of Activism.
The campaign runs annually from November 25 until December 10 on an annual basis and raises awareness about gender-based violence (GBV). The theme this year is #HearMeToo
MCS director Jackie Orsmond said the victim empowerment centre formerly known as Lifeline East London, offered free services such as counselling, care and support for victims.
“We have sexual health programmes for boys and girls where we teach them about domestic violence, rape,” that are conducted ing the year,” said Orsmond.

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On Monday, they conducted a “good touch, bad touch” programme where children were taught about the differences between the two kinds of touch.
“We taught them about good and bad secrets, three kinds of touches namely safe, unsafe and unwanted and where these touches are located on their bodies,” she said.
MCS also conducted an information sharing session about GBV where 65 taxi drivers in the city’s CBD gave their pledge to support the initiative.

“It is a sad reality that women and children’s homes are the most dangerous places for them. I encourage all to work together to stop the violence,” Orsmond said.
The organisation will host a five-day course for abuse survivors from December 3 to 7. There will also be a Walk Against Abuse that will take place at Hudson Park Primary School on December 7.
Contact 043-722-2000, of visit their Facebook page Masithethe counselling services or e-mail admin@masithethe.co.za