By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said they have intensified a fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F). Otola said this comes after they have identified it to be one of the top priorities, which robustly need to be prevented and combatted.
“This is evident in the number of GBV&F-related sentences that our courts are imposing on perpetrators of these crimes that were investigated by 16 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units across the province.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Management, however, urges victims of domestic violence not to become subdued to because of fear of intimidation, fear of not being believed, stigma associated with any sexual abuse and or offence, challenge of accessing police stations and lack of information,” she said.
Otola further said the victims must utilise the services provided by the police. She added that, the police afford the victim of domestic violence protection from abuse in domestic relationships and must assist the victim to get a protection order against the abuser.
“The protection order is an order of the court that prohibits the abuser from committing more acts of domestic violence against the victim. If contravened, the abuser may be arrested and prepared for court.
“The public must also note that, you can apply for a protection order, if you are abused by somebody with whom you are in a domestic relationship with or apply for a protection order on behalf of someone else who is a victim of domestic violence and or any person who you are concerned is abused,” said Otola.
She said affected community members can approach either a social worker, teacher, healthcare worker or a police officer. Otola said if the police treat you badly or deliver poor service, make a formal complaint to the local Station Commander, the Inspectorate Unit of the police or lodge a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which has the power to investigate misconduct claims against the police.
“To protect victims of GBV&F, the Stop Gender Violence Helpline hotline is 0800 150 150, the Child Line 0800 055 555 and or report to the SAPS crime stop number 08600 10111 or the SAPS Service Complaints Call Centre toll free number, 0800 333 177,” she said.
“It is important to note that, the person that is abusing you can be a man or a woman. Women can abuse other women and men can abuse other men as well as women can also abuse men,” she said.
Otola said child abuse is very serious and must be reported to the police immediately.
The Guardian 