Police campaign against domestic violence
ALEXANDRA - Police at all stations are conducting an ongoing campaign of information giving on women's rights and empowerment.
Police are conducting a nationwide campaign promoting women’s rights and empowerment.
The campaign, Break the Silence on Domestic Violence, is part of the commemoration of Women’s Month, and focuses on awareness of the domestic abuse of women.
The campaign creates awareness of the Domestic Violence Act which defines domestic violence as any act of physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and economic abuse, stalking, damage to property and unauthorised entry to a victim’s residence, intimidation, harassment, and any form of controlling behaviour.
The campaign advises victims of their rights to lay a criminal charge and to apply for a protection order issued by a magistrate.
Police are committed to treating victims of abuse sensitively, and to protect their dignity.
They aim to do this by:
- Listening to their complaint and taking their statement in private
- Not insulting, blaming or suggesting to the victim that it was their fault
- Being empathetic and caring to the victim
- Informing them of their rights and options
- Linking them with someone to speak to in a language they will understand
- Serving a protection order on the perpetrator
- Keeping a record of the perpetrator’s arrest relating to the abused victim
- Providing the victim feedback on the police’s investigation
- Advising the victim on where and how to access medical attention, shelter and counselling.
Details: South African Police Service 012 393 2184/10111.
