Johannesburg--A women and child abuse help centre in Alexandra, north east of Johannesburg, should be established to help women and children who had been abused, National Party ward 36 by-election candidate Racheal Gamede said on Sunday.

Gamede said her call was prompted by the insensitivity with which abused women and children were being treated in the township.

"It cannot be expected of the abused to travel long distances for help or be exposed in public places such as police stations.

"Services must be accessible to people who have been raped, abused and mistreated," Gamede said.

She said rape and child abuse was on the increase and a centre in the area was urgently needed.

She said part of her programme as the elected representative would be to lobby for such a centre.