Picture: The Upington acting Unit Commander for FCS, Warrant Officer Liezel Nte raised awareness on sexual offences, domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Radio Riverside/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Upington acting Unit Commander for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS), Warrant Officer Liezel Nte, raised awareness on sexual offences, domestic violence and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Radio Riverside on 6 February 2024.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela, said Nte shared safety hints with the public in quest to avoid falling victims of sexual offences and also to protect the vulnerable group. Masegela further said Nte also explained the process of reporting, investigation by the unit and the court proceedings.
“Furthermore, she explained the process of victim and witness protection in such cases. Remember, forms of abuse in terms of the Domestic Violence Act of 1998 has been amended. Physical Abuse may include, but is not limited to shoving, slapping, punching, kicking, throttling and biting, assault with objects, guns, knives or any other dangerous weapon.
“The sexual abuse may include, but is not limited to rape, attempted rape and indecent assault, ongoing verbal abuse with sexual slurs such as bitch, whore, slut, etc. Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse may include, but is not limited to constant insults, ridicule or name calling,” she said.
Masegela added that, the emotional, verbal and psychological abuse include repeated threats of violence or death to cause emotional pain. She said the economic abuse may include, but is not limited to, the selling of shared property such as livestock or matrimonial houses without the consent of the victim.
“This includes accessing a joint bank account for personal use without the consent of the victim. Intimidation may include, but is not limited to written or verbal death threats, sending strange objects such beheaded dolls, small coffins, dead flowers or dead pets to the victim. Harassment may include, but is not limited to repeatedly watching the victim outside or near her/his house, workplace, school or business premises or any place where she/he happens to be.
“This includes constantly phoning the victim or causing another person to phone the victim, whether or not the caller speaks to the complainant. Stalking may include, but is not limited to constantly approaching the victim and asking or demanding to talk to her/him against her/his will,” said Masegela.
She said sexual crimes to be reported to the police include rape. Masegela said rape occurs when a person has sexual penetration with a victim without their consent.
“The law also makes it a crime for one person to force another person to rape a victim. This is known as compelled rape and sexual assault occurs when a person sexually violates the victim by, for example, touching the genital organ of the victim or causing the victim to touch his/her genital organ.
“The law makes it a crime for one person to force another person to sexually violate a victim. This is known as compelled sexual assault. Compelled self-sexual assault occurs when a person compels the victim to masturbate or engage in any form of self-sexual arousal or stimulation,” she said.
Masegela said when abuse occurs in a situation of trust, whether in the family, the church, in schools or elsewhere, the sense of betrayal is intensified.
“Nte reiterated that community members must always be each other’s eyes and ears and that they must report sexual offences cases as soon as possible. All victims will be treated with utmost respect and dignity,” she said.
The Guardian 