As much as South Africans are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, there is another pandemic that requires our immediate attention and drastic action

As much as South Africans are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, there is another pandemic that requires our immediate attention and drastic action.

Violence against women and children has plagued our country for centuries. Although all spheres of society have taken a hard stance against this, it appears as though measures taken thus far have not deterred perpetrators in the least, and victims of these crimes have lost all confidence in the very system designed to protect them.

In an attempt to combat the plight of women and children, three amendment bills have been drafted establishing harsher punishment for perpetrators and more protection for the vulnerable.

The proposed amendment to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Amendment Bill, sees the extension of the offence of incest and increases the duty of reporting on persons who suspect that a child may be a victim of a sexual offence. Until now, the National Register for Sex Offenders only applied to sex offenders guilty of sex crimes against children and persons with a disability. The draft bill now allows for all offenders to be registered and shall be made publicly available.

The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill now stipulates that a prosecutor who does not oppose bail in cases of gender-based violence must place the reasons for doing so on record. Unless exceptional circumstances exist, an accused must be detained until a verdict is rendered. The amendments also aim to expand the offences to which minimum sentencing will apply.

Some of the proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act includes the expansion of the definition of domestic violence to include protection of older persons against abuse by family members, complainants may be able to apply for protection orders online, the Departments of Social Development, Basic Education, Higher Education and Health shall provide services and assistance to those in need, and a person who has knowledge, or reasonable belief, or suspicion of domestic violence against a child, disabled person or elderly person is obliged to report the offence, failing which they could face a fine or imprisonment.

VLCB strongly stands against violence against women, children and vulnerable persons. There is a duty on each and every one of us to take responsibility. We encourage anyone who may be a victim or knows a victim of abuse to report these crimes to a social worker or police officer near you.

“We encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated”- Maya Angelou

Article by: Nevashni Moodley