‘Justice system must protect children at all times’
On the occasion that judicial proceedings involve children, the justice system must be a source of support rather than exacerbate fear and trauma, a government official has said.
Deputy Secretary of Judicial and Legal in the Ministry of Justice, Moffat Lubinda highlighted the need for a child-friendly justice system during a press briefing at Avani Hotel on Friday.
He emphasised that whether as victims or witnesses to crime, children are often vulnerable and in need of protection. Lubinda underscored that when children engage with the justice system, the experience should be protective, ensuring they encounter a fair, free, and secure process.
He outlined the pillars of a child-friendly justice system as the foundation for a world where every child’s rights and wellbeing are upheld through the legal process.
“We want to create a safe environment for children as victims when appearing before our courts not to suffer fear or intimidation by their perpetrators or an attorney,” he stated. “Our justice system must help them overcome the trauma; that is why we have people who are well-trained in dealing with children’s issues.
Moreover, cases that involve children are conducted in camera.” Lubinda stressed the importance of expediting cases involving violence against children to ensure swift justice.
He urged the creation of a conducive living environment at home that prioritises safety, well-being and the protection of children’s rights.
“I am pleading with parents not to harbour abuse, not to withdraw cases that involve children, and to be forthcoming in seeking protection and promotion of children’s rights,” he added.
Furthermore, Lubinda disclosed that the ministry is undergoing transformative reforms in the justice system to enhance access to justice.
“The Ministry has been carrying out projects that seek to drive this reform and has concluded two of its policy projects that form part of the reforms and transformation of the justice system being guidelines on gender mainstreaming within the criminal justice system and child-friendly justice system research study,” he said.
For his part, Deputy Director for Botswana Police Gender and Child Protection Branch, Assistant Commissioner Gontlafetse Segolodi expressed concern about incidents of violence against children.
He revealed that the Botswana Police Service has established child-friendly units in police stations, manned by trained officers.
Segolodi emphasised the need to address child neglect and cruelty, adding that in 2020, they recorded five cases of cruel punishment to children, 20 cases in 2021 and 80 cases in 2022.
“In 2020, we recorded 118 cases of child neglect, 217 cases in 2021, and 399 cases in 2022.
We have established child-friendly units in our police stations manned by police officers trained to handle children and violence against children. We will be opening the eighth office in Maun this week,” he said.