Yesterday saw the official opening of the Bredasdorp Sexual Offences Court, with the event attended by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Constitutional Development and Correctional Services, John Jeffreys, along with representatives of SAPS and the Department of Social Development. The court is the country’s 98th Sexual Offences Court.
The Department of Justice says the courts will provide specialized support services to survivors of abuse and rapes. The Department has opened 13 of these courts in the last six months alone, in response to the countrywide outrage against Gender Based Violence. By the end of this financial year, there will be 100 of these special courts in the country.
The training of judges and police officers, to handle cases of sexual abuse with sensitivity, is progressing well, with hopes that, in the end, turnaround times for the finalization of sexual offences cases and improve conviction rates, will be improved.
Meanwhile, Rape Crisis South Africa has welcomed the initiative, saying the country’s Sexual Offences Courts will now operate more uniformly. The Department of Justice this week signed new, amended regulations into effect, with close to 100 courts, country-wide, to operate according to the new guidelines. Director at Rape Crisis, Kathleen Dey, says the courts will now offer specialist infrastructure, -staff and -services.
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr @JhjSA officially launches Bredasdorp Sexual Offences Court #BREDASOC pic.twitter.com/wQI4A7hSW1
— The DoJ & CD (@DOJCD_ZA) February 7, 2020
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr @JhjSA officially launches Bredasdorp Sexual Offences Court #BREDASOC pic.twitter.com/wQI4A7hSW1
— The DoJ & CD (@DOJCD_ZA) February 7, 2020
Community Imbizo has started with Bredasdorp Community members. @JhjSA pic.twitter.com/P2tG3HkC39
— The DoJ & CD (@DOJCD_ZA) February 7, 2020
