Push to protect women, children

VARIOUS government department members – including the SAPS, Correctional Services and legal experts – met yesterday to discuss the launch of programmes focused on improving protection for women and children.

Western Cape DevCom chairman Hishaam Mohammed said an effective, speedy and holistic justice service was needed for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

“We must, however, indicate that as much as we celebrate the achievements we have made so far, we remain concerned about the abuse of women and children in our province,” said Mohammed.

Part of the programmes for this month includes informing communities of their rights in the criminal justice system, with a focus on maintenance, sexual offences and domestic violence matters.

Through imbizos, he said, they would have direct contact with communities, who could give them feedback on what they needed.

Mohamed said with three teenagers having been murdered in Bredasdorp, they wanted to kick off the programme in that area to interface with the community not only as policemen, but the entire criminal justice system.

“We want the community to tell us what we are not doing and how can we improve as a partnership. We are ending in Nyanga that has the highest rate of crime in South Africa. That one will be hosted by Correctional Services.”

Mohamed said the programmes were planned to take place in the 15 areas with the highest domestic violence and rape statistics.