Cops stand tough against gender-based violence

Dedicated police officers are committed to curtailing South Africa’s unacceptably high rate of rape, child abuse, pornography and domestic violence.

The South African Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units are making inroads in protecting the vulnerable.

The units are found countrywide.

Dedicated FCS members go beyond the call of duty to ensure that survivors are treated with the utmost care to avoid secondary victimisation.

Between, 1 January and 30 June 2018, the division recorded a sizable number of convictions and lengthy sentences for crimes against women and children, including murder, rape and child pornography.

Two-hundred-and-seventeen life sentences and a combined 11 800 years of imprisonment resulted from 1 385 cases.

The most notable convictions took place in the North West and the Western Cape.

In May 2018, the court in Brits sentenced a 47-year-old man to eight life sentences for raping three children aged 9, 10 and 11. One of the victims is his niece, who fell pregnant.

The Western Cape incident was finalised at the Bellville court.

The FCS’s cyber-crimes unit investigated a case of possession of child pornography, which led to an accused being charged with three counts of rape, four of sexual assault and 12 counts of manufacturing porn, among other related charges.

 He was given to three life sentences for rape and 57 years for the other charges. His details have been recorded on the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said these successes are evidence that the police are indeed prioritising crimes against women and children.

National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole called on victims of gender-based violence to immediately report incidents to the nearest police station or SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111.

FCS units will continue to partner with other police units to conduct awareness campaigns throughout the year. These will be intensified during Child Protection Week, Women’s Month and the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.