PRESENTATION BY POLICE ON MULTI-SECTORAL INTERVENTIONS AND ACTIONS ON GENDER-BASED VOLENCE

1. PRESENTATION BY POLICE ON MULTI-SECTORAL INTERVENTIONS AND ACTIONS ON GENDER-BASED VOLENCE 22 APRIL 2013

2. CONTENTS OF PRESENTATION • 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

3. BACKGROUNDON GBV • 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

4. SAPS’ COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS GBV • 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.

5. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

6. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

7. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

8. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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)

9. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • Re-introduction of the Family Violence and Child Protection Units in 176 Police Stations in 2010. • 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.

13. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

14. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

15. SAPS INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS GBV • 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

16. LEGISLATIONS THAT MANDATES SAPS INTERVENTION • 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

17. COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER DEPTS • 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)

18. COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER DEPTS • Dept of Correctional Services(rehabilitation and reintegration programme) • Department of Basic Education( Safer School • Inter-Ministerial Council ( • National Council on Gender Based Violence (

19. COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER DEPTS • 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,

20. REPORTING MECHANISMS • 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

21. CHALLENGES • 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.

22. WAY FORWARD • 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

23. I THANK YOU