Police slam down on domestic violence

In light of Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) recently announced that they will be improving their efficiency in handling domestic violence cases as of August.

The SAPS plans on collaborating with the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) in a joint initiative “that aims to better support the victims of domestic violence who opt to report crime to women and children”, according to a press release issued on 6 August.

According to LSSA co-chairpersons Kathleen Matolo-Dlepu and David Bekker the initiative stemmed from the public perception that the victims of domestic violence are not being assisted properly.

“The victims of domestic and gender-based violence do not get the appropriate assistance and treatment in every matter when they approach the SAPS – or that is the belief,” they explained.

Matolo-Dlepu and Bekker say that attorneys and police officers are completely duty-bound in these cases.

“We should ensure that victims receive sensitive and professional service when reporting domestic violence cases.

“We want the cases to be processed successfully through the criminal justice system.

“On the one hand, the LSSA hopes to strengthen the message that domestic violence will not be tolerated and on the other, wants to assist police officers in treating the victims of this scourge appropriately.”

To this end the LSSA approached the SAPS in 2012 to identify the challenges being experienced by both attorneys and SAPS officers in implementing the Domestic Violence Act. Susan Abro and Martha Mbhele of the LSSA Family Law and Gender Committee, felt that crimes against women and children must be prioritised.

“We need to change the attitudes of people who deal with the victims of these crimes – from a police perspective and also from a public perspective.”

Abro feels that her society is “increasingly becoming immune to violent crime” and she works to change that. The joint initiative would entail attorneys and relevant NGOs acting as supplements and providing support in the training provided to SAPS station commanders as well as trainers and other senior police officials. They plan to offer information sessions on how to deal appropriately with domestic violence matters.

“We feel that those in leadership positions will then be better placed to sensitise those who deal with domestic violence issues at grass-roots level.”

Roodepoort SAPS spokesperson Vincent Mashiteng could not yet confirm how this initiative will benefit the Roodepoort Police.