President Cyril Ramaphosa was slammed for congratulating Miss SA Natasha Joubert Picture: Office of The Presidency.
South Africa to pilot new ONLINE protection orders
The President is taking bold steps in SA’s ongoing battle against gender-based violence. Including resorting to online protection orders.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was slammed for congratulating Miss SA Natasha Joubert Picture: Office of The Presidency.
We don’t know what’s scarier, that South Africa suffers so much domestic violence that online protection orders are necessary. Or the fact that the government’s new initiative is actually a good thing in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.
ONLINE PROTECTION ORDERS
Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday 9 August as part of his commemoration on National Women’s Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “The violence perpetrated by men against women and girls is an assault on our common humanity. Women do not feel safe in their homes, on the street, in places of work and study and worship.”
HARSH NEW PUNISHMENTS
The piloting of online protection orders comes a few weeks after news from the presidency that no bail will be granted to anyone charged with rape. Or if the victim was in a domestic relationship with the perpetrator. If found to be in a relationship, the court has to issue a protection order before releasing them on bail.
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“Also effective from earlier this month, gang or serial rapists face life imprisonment, as do perpetrators of date rape, marital rape, child rape and incest,” said the President during his Women’s Day speech.
STILL A LONG JOURNEY TO SAFETY
The President reiterated in his address that the National Strategic Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has made important progress since it was launched three years ago.
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12 000 police officers have received training to respond effectively to gender-based violence and to focus on the needs of victims. One million DNA collection kits have been delivered to police stations around the country since 2019, and there more than 1 000 victim-friendly rooms at police stations.
EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL SAFE IN SA
“In January last year, I signed into law three key pieces of legislation, namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Act,” said the President.
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These new laws provide greater protection to survivors, ensuring that perpetrators are no longer able to evade prosecution. If you feel unsafe or you are the victim of gender-based, domestic or sexual violence, you can apply for an online protection order HERE.
SAPS SAYS
A protection order aims at preventing the reoccurrence of domestic violence or sexual harassment by stating what conduct the alleged offender must refrain from doing. As long as he/she complies with the protection order, the complainant will be safe. If the respondent contravenes any stipulation of the protection order, he/she may be arrested. Once a protection order is granted, it is enforceable throughout the country.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
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