22 APRIL 2013
Background on the topic SAPS Intervention to address the scourge of GBV Legislations that obligates/mandates SAPS intervention. Collaborations SAPS entered into with other relevant Departments and Stake holders Reporting mechanisms Challenges Way forward
Gender based violence is a global phenomenon, research and stats indicate how GBV has been normalized in South African Society Gender based violence cuts across all spheres of the State hence it is critical that we collaborate. Gender based violence continues unabated in SA with rampant brutality against women, girls and the elderly. Research reveals that 1 in 2 women might be raped in their life time, a woman is raped every 26 seconds, 1 in 4 women is in an abusive relationship and 1 in 4 girls has been sexually abused this truly calls for action
Having painted the above picture SAPS is committed to ensure that South Africans are and feel safe however facing such societal challenge the Police cannot succeed to fight Gender Based Violence alone The police support the fact that the President and Cabinet instructed that Dept of Social Development lead IMC to address the root causes of GBV as this is a societal problem. Furthermore SAPS is an active participant to the National Council on Gender Based Violence which is chaired by Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
SAPS commend the multi sectoral intervention idea and would actively participate in any endeavour to eliminate the scourge of GBV Soon after the Domestic Violence Act was enacted SAPS developed and issued a National Instruction 7/1999 to guide the members on implementing the legislation. To name the few the National Instruction states the following: Member must render such assistance to the complainant as may reasonable be required to find suitable shelter, obtain medical treatment, provide transport etc
The Inter-Departmental Management Team (IDMT) was established as the SA’s Integrated Response to violence against women its aim was to provide a coordinated multidisciplinary expert team focused on design and implementation of strategies and programme to end GBV. Its activities included improvement of quality service including victim support, providing programmes for offender rehabilitation and reintegration
The National crime Prevention Strategy( NCPS) gave birth to the Justice Crime Prevention strategy to address the following: - Anti –Rape Strategy (prevention, reaction and support) as an integrated response on GBV Participate in Thuthuzela Care One stop Centres Specialised trainings for FCS Personnel Communication, Education and Awareness programmes
Development of Victim Empowerment Plan Introduction of the Victim’s Charter Victim friendly rooms in the Police Stations to ensure that victims are interviewed in dignified environments. Partnerships that are driven to involve community in the fight of gender based violence(CPF’s) Mobilisation of youth to be activist against crime e.g. ( Youth Against Crime)
Re-introduction of the Family Violence and Child Protection Units in 176 Police Stations in Mandate being- to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in combating and investigating crimes against women and children. Provide National support by facilitating workshops, lectures and presentations at schools, churches and relevant forums.
10 NATIONAL CRIME AGAINST WOMEN 2011/2012 DATA CRIME CATEGORY National Crime against Women Reported National Crime against Women Found Guilty Pch151 Woman Murder Pch152 Woman Robbery Agravat Pch153 Woman Attempted Murder Pch154 Woman Rape Pch155 Woman Sexual Assaulted Pch156 Woman Child Abuse Pch157 Woman Kidnapping Pch158 Woman Assault Gbh Pch159 Woman Assault Pch161 Woman Attempted Robbery Pch162 Woman Comman Robbery Pch163 Woman Attempted Robbery Pch164 Attempted Rape Pch165 Woman Robbery With Pch166 Woman Sexual Offences Crimes Against Women Total
11 NATIONAL CRIME AGAINST WOMEN 2011/2012 DATA CRIME CATEGORY Reported Taken to court Guilty Pch167 Child Murder Pch168 Child Attempted Murder Pch169 Child Robbery Aggravating Pch170 Child Rape Pch171 Child Sexual Assault Pch172 Child Abuse Pch173 Child Kidnapping Pch174 Child Assault Gbh Pch175 Child Assault Common Pch176 Child Attempted Robbery Aggravating Pch177 Child Common Robbery Pch178 Child Attempted Common Robbery Pch179 Child Attempted Rape Pch180 Child Robbery With Other Weapon Pch181 Child Sexual Offences Crimes Against Children Total
FCS CONVICTIONS 2011/2012 Province10 to 24 Year Imprisonments 25 Yrs/Life sentences 1Eastern Cape (EC)2781 Years63 Life Imprisonment 2Free State (FS)831 Years43 Life Imprisonment 3Gauteng (GP)1203 Years23 Life Imprisonment 4Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN)3323 Years120 Life Imprisonment 5Limpopo (L)1297 Years62 Life Imprisonment 6Mpumalanga (MP)1144 Years32 Life Imprisonment 7Northern Cape (NC)786 Years9 Life Imprisonment 8North West (NW)1075 Years27 Life Imprisonment 9Western Cape (WC)2586 Years10 Life Imprisonment 10Total Years389 Life Imprisonment 12
SAPS Training Academies have a module on Domestic Violence Act that capacitate all entry level Police members in dealing with the Domestic Violence and other gender based criminal cases. Annually there are in-service training taking place in all Provinces on Domestic Violence Act Capacity building workshops are currently being conducted to train employees dealing with victims of gender based violence
School programmes, address learners on Domestic Violence, dangers of drug use and give safety tips. Conduct Community outreach programmes to educate communities about their Rights Conduct operations where pamphlets with educational information is distributed Drive internal programmes through Women’s Network and Men For Change to raise awareness to our members
SAPS has further make a concerted efforts to consider gender balance when deploying its members for peacekeeping e.g. 40% of deployments to DRC, Burundi and Sudan were women. The members are trained UNPOL Officers Course that includes dealing with violence against women and children and sexual exploitation to help them in reconciliation and tolerance
The Constitution of the Republic as the Supreme Law, Act 108 of 1996 South African Police Act, 57 of 2008 Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 National Instructions 7/1999 Sexual Offence Act 32 of 2007 Child Justice Act 75 of 2008
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development National Prosecuting Authority ( Thuthuzela centres) Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. (365 Days Campaign, and 16 Days) Department of Social Development ( Shelters)
Dept of Correctional Services(rehabilitation and reintegration programme) Department of Basic Education( Safer School Inter-Ministerial Council ( National Council on Gender Based Violence (
Commission for Gender Equality Civil Societies, e.g. Sonke Gender Justice, Men’s Forum Men For Change within SAPS Women’s Network within SAPS NGO’s e.g. POWA,
There are Police Stations in all 9 Provinces and 176 FCS Units All Police Stations have victim friendly rooms where statements are taken Counselling services are provided in some areas by volunteers from NGO’s There is Domestic Violence Register in every police station however it need to be noted that the information that is in the register is of the Complainant only 508 form that have details of the perpetrator
Societal norms and stereotypes that influence the thinking and behaviour of communities, pockets of those are seen as Police members are part of Societies that we are in. Historical background of Gender Based Violence seen as the private matter Interference of the family members and influencing withdrawal of cases.
Since there is a general consensus even at the UN level there need to be more emphasis on primary prevention, protection and prosecution of offenders. Strong involvement of Judiciary, Political Parties, Trade Unions, All government departments, Cultural and Traditional Organisations in opposing Gender Based Violence must be encouraged. Keeping quiet of the society especially men will not assist in eliminating the scourge
I THANK YOU