DURBAN – South Africa recently embarked on the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children. A strategically important programme which aims to educate communities and encourage them to break the silence around sexual offences.

The KwaZulu-Natal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units are still inundated with high volumes of Gender Based Violence cases on a daily basis despite numerous initiatives aimed at educating the public on the effects of these violent crimes. Women are still abused by their partners when they should be in the safety of their own homes and many women are losing their lives at the hands of the very people who should be protecting them.

FCS detectives worked tirelessly from 1 December to 31 December 2021 and arrested 244 suspects for crimes ranging from rape, statutory rape, kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking, attempted murder, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, child neglect and indecent exposure.

They successfully secured 14 convictions which included seven life sentences and 99 years of imprisonment for the many suspects who appeared in various courts within the province. Many cases are still awaiting trial in court which will result in more suspects being charged and sentenced for their crimes.

Communities are encouraged to continue reporting crimes to police stations to curb the stigma attached to sexual offences. Often many people witness these abuses but fail to take steps to stop it. We urge women to not allow themselves to be trapped in abusive relationships which will see themselves as well as their children being harmed.

Source: South African Police Service