Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors can now apply for protection orders online, without having to be present in court after amendments to the Domestic Violence Prevention Bill was signed into law last week.
According to the provincial standing committee chairperson for social development Gillion Bosman, these improvements may pave the way in law to combat GBV, however, practical measures need to be in place otherwise these laws will remain lofty ideals.
“Equally as important to combatting GBV, but less well-known, are rape kits to sample DNA and identify unknown perpetrators.
“The most recent reply to my parliamentary questions indicated that there are 20 306 rape kits available in the province at police stations, with 11 932 for adults and 8 374 for children,” Bosman said.
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The latest crime statistics from the second quarter of 2021 indicates that 1 468 sexual offences were committed from July 2020 to September 2021 in the Western Cape, the majority of these offences amounted to rape.
Bosman said based on the latest statistics surrounding GBV, the only concern is that nine police stations had fewer than 15 rape kits.
“When I asked whether these stations were sufficiently capacitated, the reply from SAPS was vague – simply indicating that no station in the province ran out of kits last year.
“I will be seeking clarity through further questions to ascertain whether these stations are prepared with sufficient kits for the new year,” Bosman added.
She further mentioned that, even if there are sufficient rape kits available, the rate at which DNA is processed continues to limit SAPS’ ability to solve crimes and achieve justice for victims.
“Oversight of SAPS by the national department has been thin in the past, resulting in the current DNA processing backlog in the province, which the DA has stepped in to oversee until it can be eradicated,” Bosman explained.
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Picture: Cape{town} Etc gallery